How children helped thwart Abu Sayyaf in Bohol

From ABS-CBN/ANC (Apr 13): How children helped thwart Abu Sayyaf in Bohol

[Video report]

Information from children who noticed strangers in their area played a big role in the government forces' operation that stopped an alleged kidnapping plan by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Bohol, the local officials said Wednesday.

Inabanga Mayor Josephine Jumamoy said the information from the children was passed to their parents, who in turn reported it to the police.

"May nakita daw silang ibang tao at saka sabi nila na ibang klaseng pump boat at parang may nilabas silang parang mga bigas daw. Then nung inilabas nila, parang mga [baril]," she said in a press conference.

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto said it is practice in their province for information from citizens to be shared with the law enforcers.

"Nakatulong din yung responses natin makukuha natin sa mga tao and as long as the intelligence groups of the military and the police are sharing information, they are sharing information," he said.

Firefight between government troops and members of the terrorist group ensued Tuesday in the town. Six were confirmed dead from the Abu Sayyaf's side, while there were also four casualties from the government side.

Chatto said people should understand "that the Boholanos will never just sit back and relax when there are people sowing fear in our island."

"Sa tulungan ng mga information ng mga tao at the intelligence of the local government, we are able to thwart any possible incident as of this point in time," he said.

"This should encourage us, this should inspire us, and this should even tell us we’re not going to loosen our defenses. We should keep being vigilant all the time," he added.

He said it's also a plus that days before the advisory from the United States warning against travel to Central Visayas was issued, or even before the clashes happened, they already tightened their security measures for the Holy Week and the ASEAN Summit.

"When it comes to Holy Week, talagang maraming taong pumupunta and the ASEAN. We really urged people to report when there are personalities in the area," he said.

"Yes, we are safe as long as all of us will be vigilant—the same vigilance, if not more, than what our people have been showing because our government response will always be there when the right information comes in at the right time," he added.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/13/17/how-children-helped-thwart-abu-sayyaf-in-bohol