Abu Sayyaf member arrested, another presumed dead in Bohol

One of the remaining three Abu Sayyaf members being pursued by military and police forces in Bohol has been arrested, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Restituto Padilla said on Thursday, while another is presumed dead.

Padilla said that initial reports from Central Commander Gen. Oscar Lactao confirmed the arrest of the Abu Sayyaf member whose identity is yet to be verified at around 7 a/m.

"Nakakuha tayo ng inital report na merong nakuha sa tatlong hinahabol natin na patuloy nagtatago sa lugar ng Bohol doon sa mga remnants ng grupo ng Abu Sayyaf na nagpunta sa Bohol," Padilla told reporters during the Air Force Symposium at Shangri La at the Fort.

The Abu Sayyaf member was arrested in Barangay Tan-awan by a joint task force made up of police and military troops, who have been conducting offensives in the area since April.

Padilla said that Baranagay Tan-awan residents were the ones who tipped off the soldiers about the rebel's whereabouts.

Another Abu Sayyaf member is also presumed dead, Padilla added.

"Sa kasalukuyan... paniniwala natin na isa dun maaaring pumanaw na dahil sa overexposure sa elements. Isa na lang ang maaaring natitira," he said.

Government troops began a series of operations in Bohol last month to neutralize ASG bandits that hid out in the area.

Six bandits, including Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Muammar Askali alias Abu Rami, were killed during clashes last April 11 in Inabanga town.

Four more were killed by the military in Clarin town. —JST, GMA News