The Abu Sayyaf who escaped

I was one of the few people who personally saw Saad Samad Kiram with my own eyes, the Abu Sayyaf member who was caught by the authorities last Thursday in Barangay Tanawan in Tubigon, Bohol. He was rather lanky and slim, close to being skin and bones after days of running for survival, oftentimes going for days with no food. He had hollow eyes and was unable to speak, having had authorities question him for hours until dawn. As he was supposed to be transported to the jail for his safety, it was said he tried to escape authorities, making call of nature his excuse. His escape attempt cost him his life by three bullets; one to the head, another to the chest, and another to the thigh.

What a lot of people are asking, especially the Boholanos, is how he managed the attempt despite being heavily guarded by authorities. He had escorts inside the van where he was in and other vans surrounding it. Maybe some twist of fate had it for him, but he wasn't really lucky at all.

The Abu Sayyaf member who got away said that he was a pump boat operator, paid to ferry other members to the destination where they may carry out possible terroristic actions. He has no idea where his companions are after fleeing the second encounter.

Bohol's safety remains to be the same though, despite the recent development and the search for the two others who have escaped. Its tourism industry is still upbeat with a few cancellations. The Department of Tourism has made sure that everything is in place for those who want to see the beauty of the province that now brings the tagline of "Behold Bohol". It banks on the majestic forests and clear water of its beaches to boast to its audience.

The Abu Sayyaf member who escaped is just one of the many trials that the province went through. Though his death may be questionable, we leave it up to the authorities to have the clear conscience to tell the public what is true. They owe it to the people who have been paying taxes for their salaries. It remains to be a mystery until today, so are the whereabouts of the other two who are still on the run.

Bohol will stay as a tourist destination with the situation contained. We hope that no more bandits will enter the waters of Central Visayas so we may have a lot of people stay in our provinces. Vigilance is now the authorities' key to keep us safe. What they want now is for us to cooperate and be one in their goal for a peaceful Philippines.

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