2017 Bohol clashes
The 2017 Bohol clashes were armed conflicts that took place in April and May 2017 between Philippine security forces and Moro ISIL-affiliated militants led by members of the Abu Sayyaf in Inabanga, Bohol, Philippines. Three Philippine Army soldiers, a policeman, four terrorists and two civilians were killed during the initial firefight. Subsequent firefights between the remaining militants and security forces resulted in the deaths of all the Abu Sayyaf insurgents. A ranking officer of the Philippine National Police linked to Abu Sayyaf attempted to rescue some of the insurgents but was arrested.
2017 Bohol clashes | |||||||
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Part of the Moro conflict and Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines | |||||||
Pump boats used by Abu Sayyaf in the Bohol attack | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Rodrigo Duterte Oscar T. Lactao Noli G. Taliño |
Muammar Askali † Abu Rami Joselito Melloria † Abu Alih | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Philippine Army Philippine Navy Philippine Air Force Philippine National Police | Marakat Ansar Battalion (ASG) | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
1,000+ | 11 militants | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
4 killed 2 wounded | 11 killed | ||||||
2 civilians killed, 425–700 individuals evacuated; more than a thousand displaced. |
The clashes marked the first recorded operation of the Abu Sayyaf group in the Visayas region of the Philippines, far from their strongholds in the Sulu Archipelago.