By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Silay City police deputy gave an assurance to the public yesterday that there is no presence of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the city, even though a self-confessed former member was arrested last Monday.
In a report by Bombo Radyo-Bacolod, Police Senior Insp. Ramil Robles shot down false rumors currently circulating in the province that around 60 ASG members are in Negros Island Region (NIR) in order to recruit new members.
He also stated the claims made by Absner Kudarat saying he is the nephew of slain ASG leader Abu Sabaya are mere allegations for now, but confirmed they are investigating it.
Robles also echoed earlier statements coming from their mother unit in Police Regional Office-18 (PRO-18) and the Philippine Army that there is no ASG presence in Negros.
He explained security in the region has been tightened, following the failed attempt by the terror group to kidnap tourists in Bohol and Cebu.
Earlier, Kudarat and his other relative Saldy Habibullah were arrested by police after they allegedly pointed a .45 caliber pistol at a local resident in the city.
Kudarat claimed to investigators he was the nephew of Abu Sabaya, a leader and spokesperson of the Abu Sayyaf terror group killed in a military operation in Zamboanga Del Norte in 2002.
The suspect later surrendered to government forces in 2004, and migrated to the province in an attempt to start a new life.
Kudarat is still detained at the Silay City Police Station on charges of illegal possession of firearms./WDJ