Bohol Governor Erico Aris Aumentado visits families in Sitio Ilaud, Barangay Campagao in Bilar town that were affected by the Sept. 7 encounter between suspected rebels and government troops. | Photo from the FB page of Erico Aris Aumentado
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — The armed encounter, that killed six suspected members of the New People’s Army in Bilar town in Bohol province on September 7, was an isolated case.
Governor Erico Aris Aumentado said the provincial government had the situation under control as he also assured Bol-anons that their province remained a peaceful place to stay.
At the same time, he is urging the remaining members of rebel groups to already put down their arms and instead support the government’s peace initiatives.
“Sa gihapon ako nanawagan nga pilion nato ang malinawon nga kinàbuhi pinaagi sa pagbalik sa sabakan sa atong pangagamhanan,” he said in a statement that was posted on his social media page on Friday, Sept. 8.
(As always, I appeal (to the rebels) that they will choose the peaceful way of life by returning to the fold of our government.)
Aumentado said he was doing his regular visits to the different barangays in their province when the bloody encounter between suspected rebels and government troops happened on Thursday.
“Gibisita dayon nato ang 53 ka mga pamilya didto sa Sitio Ilaud, Barangay Campagao, Bilar, nga apektado sa hitabo, nga nikabat sa 183 ka mga indibidwal,” he said.
(We then visited the 53 families in Sitio Ilaud, Barangay Campagao, Bilar, who were affected by what happened, they reached 183 individuals.)
“Atong gikumusta ang ilang kahimtang, ug mihatag na usab kita sa direktiba bahin sa pag-atiman kanila,” he added.
(I asked about their situation there and I also gave the directive to really care for them.)
The Bohol governor said he was also saddened by the death of the six suspected rebels, “kay ato usab sila nga mga igsoon isip kita mga Bol- anon (because they are also our brothers, who are fellow Bol-anons).”
“Rest assured kontrolado sa atong Pangagamhanang Probinsyal ang sitwasyon,” he added.
(Rest assured, that our provincial government is in control of the situation.)
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