Clearing ops vs ASG enclave in Bohol ongoing, reinforcements now on ground

MANILA—Government security forces are still conducting clearing operations in Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Napo, Inabanga town, Bohol where an estimated 60 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits have landed Monday night.

This was said by 3rd Infantry Division public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ericson Rosana in a message to the PNA Wednesday.

“Clearing operations are still ongoing. The body count is still the same, five ASG dead, three soldiers and one police officer killed,” he added.

And when asked what is keeping government forces from completely overrunning the ASG enclave, Rosana said the area is heavily “forested” making it difficult for troops to spot their targets.

As this develops, units from the Light Reaction Regiment, troopers from 83rd Special Action Company and Naval Special Operation Group arrived in Tagbilaran Airport to augment security personnel conducting clearing operations against the ASG.

They were aboard a Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” cargo plane with tail number 4704 which flew from Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

These specialized troops arrived around 4:30 p.m. Around five ASG bandits, three soldiers and one police officer were killed in the 7 a.m. clash with the bandits who were earlier spotted aboard three pumpboats entering the riverside in Sitio Ilaya Monday night.