Government troops and the band of Abu Sayyaf men who survived the Inabanga encounter last week clashed in Barangay Nahawan, Clarin at 12p.m. Saturday.
This was confirmed by Clarin Mayor Allen Ray Piezas through DYRD Balita.
According to Bohol Provincial Police Office chief Supt. Felipe Natividad, the group’s suspected leader Joselito Melloria has been killed in the encounter.
One of the suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits was spotted by a habal-habal driver who reported the sighting to authorities, said Piezas.
The government troops then reportedly followed the suspected Abu Sayyaf to the location of the other bandits.
The gun battle is ongoing as of this posting.