The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) is moving to identify and get the actual number of residents who have fled to Bohol from war-torn Marawi City in a bid to extend aid to the evacuees and prevent the entry of lawless elements.

So far, the provincial police command is yet to verify the exact number of evacuees from Marawi City who have reached the shores of Bohol.

According to BPPO Community Relations Branch chief Supt. George Vale, they called on local government units including barangay officials to monitor presence of evacuees in their areas.

The BPPO also started to coordinate with the social services offices in Bohol and Tagbilaran City in listing down the names of the evacuees.

This would also help hasten operations of authorities in extending aid to evacuees who are in need of help, Vale said.

However, in other areas like Iligan and other parts of Mindanao, several suspected terrorists have been arrested after blending in with evacuees as they move from one place to another.

Earlier, police in the province ordered the implementation of stringent security measures in entry points such as seaports.

Authorities at the Jagna pier which is the closest entry point via commercial boat from Mindanao, in particular, has been directed to monitor the entry of evacuees.

However, the Jagna Police Station was unaware of the entry Maranaos from Marawi City who reached Tabilaran City through the town’s port on June 4.

According to the Jagna police, they had not noticed evacuees entering through the municipality’s pier since Marawi residents started to flee their hometown. (A. Doydora)