Town officials place Clarin under state of calamity

Local officials of Clarin town in Bohol province have placed their town under state of calamity on Monday, two days after the encounter between government troops and members of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Mayor Rey Piezas said the declaration was necessary so that town officials could facilitate the release of aid to around 600 families consisting of 3,000 individuals from Barangays Bacani, Caboy and Nahawan who were evacuated to government centers following the exchange of gunfire on Saturday.

Four ASG members, including their local contact Joselito Melloria, were killed during the encounter.

Government troops continue to go after three more ASG members who remain at large.

Members of the Clarin town council gathered for their regular session on Monday morning and discussed among others the need to place their locality under state of calamity, said mayor Piezas.

Piezas said there is great possibility that the three ASG members are still in their town adding that the continued hot pursuit operation by the military could eventually affect other barangays in their town, hence the need to put the town under state of calamity.

Clarin, a fifth class municipality, has 24 barangays and a population of at least 18,040 based on the census on population done in the year 2000.