Police are currently verifying the reported entry of evacuees from war-torn Marawi City where Islamic State-linked militants have laid siege since Tuesday last week.

According to PO3 Remegio Acedo of the Jagna Police Station, barangay officials have been directed to report suspicious activities in the town following the purported entry of Mindanao residents.

The police noted that evacuees affected by the ongoing clashes between the Maute Group and government troops in Marawi City will be welcomed in Bohol.

However, tight security measures are being implemented in the evaluation of those who arrive in the province to prevent the entry of fleeing terrorists from Mindanao which is currently under martial law.

Acedo said that passengers from outside the province will be directed to present identification documents such as “cedula” or community tax certificate and official IDs.

Based on reports, some evacuees from Marawi City have already reached Cebu City.

While in Jagna, authorities are still verifying if evacuees have indeed entered the town.

The port of Jagna is the closest entry point through commercial vessels from northern Mindanao particularly Cagayan de Oro City.

Last week, 13 thobe-clad Muslim missionaries entered Bohol through the Jagna seaport from Cagayan de Oro City and were interviewed by the police.

The men were immediately able to present IDs to authorities, said Acedo.

They were cleared by police which noted that the group’s purpose in Bohol is to strengthen Islam faith among the religion’s faithful in time for the Ramadan which started Friday. (Allen Doydora)