MORE THAN 80 members of the kidnap-for-ransom Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the island province of Basilan recently surrendered to the government and have undergone reformation activities to help them prepare for reassimilation into society. Among them is 18-year-old “Habib.” Raised in Tipo-Tipo, Habib became involved with the ASG when he was a 14-year-old Grade 4 student. It started when some members of the ASG asked him to buy food in the public market, which eventually became a daily routine for him before going to school and after classes. With regular access to the ASG’s camp in Barangay Baguindan, he became a full-fledged member of the group, serving mainly as an errand boy — buying food, cooking, and assisting in the preparation of weapons before an operation. The ASG’s Baguindan camp was recently overrun by government troops. Habib narrates that ASG members receive a monthly allowance: P5,000 for those who are single, and P10,000 for those with a family. “Hindi na mahirapan maghanap ng pera (It wasn’t a problem anymore looking for money),” Habib said. — Mindanao Bureau

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