‘No Sayyaf presence in Eastern Visayas’

From the Manila Bulletin (May 20): ‘No Sayyaf presence in Eastern Visayas’

Major Gen. Raul Farnacio, commanding general of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) based in this city has denied the reported presence or sightings of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in Eastern Visayas.

Farnacio said the reports that members of the ASG are now in Eastern Visayas and were sighted in Sta. Fe, Leyte and Dolores in Eastern Samar are just mere fabrication and not true.
Farnacio categorically denied such reports and said that a lot of reports on the matter is surfacing, but none of them is airtight.

He, however acknowledged that there’s a lot of work to be done in terms of monitoring the activities of the ASG and other lawless groups.

He clarified that some members of the Balik Islam group in the region may have been mistaken as ASG members.

Farnacio claims that the Muslim communities in Eastern Visayas are helping government authorities hunt members of the terror group in the region.

Farnacio said the Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas under his command is closely monitoring the developments in Bohol to preempt the possible entry of ASG bandits.

The general said his office has intensified its intelligence information gathering and coordinated with the police and other authorities in Eastern Visayas to ensure the safety of the public, including tourists who are visiting the region.

http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/20/no-sayyaf-presence-in-eastern-visayas/