The local government unit of Panglao is considering the implementation of an ID system for the town’s residents after the entry of a known Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member into the municipality last month.

Mayor Leonila Montero said that police have further tightened security since alleged ASG bomber Renierlo Dongon along with wife Supt. Ma. Cristina Nobleza was able to stay in the town undetected.

Montero was referring to the couple’s accommodation at an apartment in Brgy. Looc, from April 17 to 22 while they were in Bohol allegedly to rescue ASG bandits who survived the first clash against government troops in Inabanga on April 12.

According to Montero, they are planning to give each resident of the town an ID, while those without it can be called for questioning particularly on their purpose of being in the town.

Names of those without the ID will also be listed down, she said.

The mayor pointed out that there are currently no restrictions on entry into the town which made her thought of the ID system.

Even those intending to seek employment in the municipality will also be required to secure a police clearance as part of the background check on those who enter the town.

Currently, government personnel have already started to visit homes in the town to get data from each family as initial step in the implementation of the ID system.

Meanwhile, resort owners and officials were also urged to cooperate with the implementation of the initiative by providing necessary information on their guests.

Montero also admitted that she was aware of a possible threat even before the Inabanga clash but said that she was not alarmed as she had full trust in the capabilities of security forces surrounding the resort town.

Two days before the ASG bandits were first spotted in Inabanga last month, the United States embassy issued a security advisory warning its citizens on travelling to the Philippines, particularly Cebu and Bohol in Central Visayas.

After the clashes between ASG men and government troops in Clarin and Inabanga, bomb-making paraphernalia were found inside the room of Dongon and Nobleza in Barangay Looc. (Allen Doydora)