ZAMBOANGA CITY – A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), who was allegedly involved in several kidnap-for-ransom activities, surrendered to the military in Tawi-Tawi, the Armed Force of the Philippines- Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) said.
AFP-WestMinCom Commander Lt Gen Corleto Vinluan, Jr. identified Friday, December 25, the former ASG gunman as Barri Lakibol, also known as Barley Badeng, Otoh Itom and Robin, 44, and a a resident of Barangay Silubog, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
Lakibol turned himself in at the headquarters of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 12 in Barangay Nalil, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday afternoon, December 23.
“Based on our records, Lakibol was involved in the kidnapping of 21 hostages, including European nationals and other foreigners at Sipadan Island in April 2000,” Vinluan said
He was also involved in the abduction of a certain Father Almeda, Vinluan added.
Lakibol handed over his M14-rifle with one magazine and two live ammunition to Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-12) Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Henry Espinosa.
“He admitted being a member of the ASG who was recruited by Sulu-based senior leader Galib Andang, alias. Commander Robot, sometime in January 2000,” Espinosa said.
During the debriefing, Lakibol revealed that he left the group in 2006 due to the intensified offensives launched by the military which resulted in the neutralization of most prominent ASG personalities in Sulu.
“The military will turn over Lakibol to the local government unit of Bongao for his enrolment to the reintegration programs of the government,” Joint Task Force (JTF) Tawi-Tawi commander Col. Arturo Rojas said.
“We are looking forward to more enemy surrenders and we encourage them to do so as it is best that they peacefully return to the mainstream of the society rather than engage in gunfights" Col. Rojas added.