INABANGA, Bohol-There was an ongoing firefight between joint police and military team and at least 10 armed men on board two separate bancas in Barangay Napo, Inabanga town, Bohol.

Superintendent George Vale, head of Police Community Relations Office at the Bohol Police Provincial Office,

said he could not tell if the armed men were part of a group who planned to stage kidnappings in Central Visayas.

(READ: Residents told to abandon homes amid ongoing firefight)

He said the armed men were sighted onboard in two motorbancas near the river in Barangay Napo in this town. Residents saw these men on Monday night. They alerted the police office to verify these men.

The incident happened after US Embassy in Manila issued a travel ban to Bohol and Cebu provinces.

(READ: Nine killed in firefight between govt forces and suspected members of Abu Sayyaf)

“We urge he people instead to be vigilant in reporting to authorities any unusual movement of unknown persons in area.

Law enforcement agencies have been on high alert including security units of Hotels & Resorts who are also closely coordinated wd police authorities,” Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto said in a statement.