By NONOY E. LACSON
ZAMBOANGA CITY – For most teens, life is all about simply having fun. Not Habib, though.
While most people his age spend their days busy with petty pursuits, such as hanging out with friends, watching the latest movies, and playing the hippest video games, among other things, Habib was on the run, wanted by the government for his involvement with the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group.
Habib, who was raised in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, became involved with the terrorist group at 14.
It all started with ASG men afraid to be seen in public asking him to buy them food at a local market. The task eventually became daily routine for Habib. “Hindi na nila ako pinauwi sa amin,” he shared.
As a full-fledged member of the group, Habib was generally assigned as an all-around errand boy. He would cook meals for the combatants, wash their clothes, and clean their weapons.
Habib said as ASG member he received a monthly allowance, amounting to P5,000. “Kasi sa loob ng kampo, ‘pag single ka, binibigyan ka ng P5,000 kada buwan, ‘pag pamilyado naman P10,000,” he related.
It is among major reasons why he said, the ASG have it easy getting new members. “Marami may gusto kasi hindi na mahirapan maghanap ng pera,” Habib said.
Habib didn’t exactly grow up poor. Though his father died when he was just six-years-old, his mother, an overseas Filipino worker, made sure he is well-fed and educated.
Loneliness, however, has a way of cutting through a young boy’s heart. The fifth of eight siblings, Habib said he felt alone when his brothers and sisters married.
Going home to an empty house, and longing for his mother’s warm embrace, made him long for companionship. “Kaya mas minabuti ko na sumali na lang sa ASG,” Habib said.
After a while with the group, he was eventually assigned with bigger assignments, including kidnapping. Habib recalled he was once told to abduct a female from Tipo-Tipo.
It wasn’t a one-man operation, he said. “Kung may mga kini-kidnap, halimbawa galing Zamboanga, may tao na mag-aantay sa port pa lang ng Zamboanga, tapos iba naman ang naghihintay sa Isabela. Pagdating ng Isabela ididiretso sa Lamitan, saka pupunta ng Tipo-Tipo. Kami ang naghihintay sa Baguindan,” Habib revealed.
When asked how he felt about it all, he shared, “Nu’ng ako ang sumundo sa babaeng na-kidnap, gusto ko siya patakasin kasi kawawa lang, pero sinabihan ako ng mga matatanda kong kasama na kapag pinatakas ko, ako daw ang papatayin ng grupo.”
Habib also witnessed ASG leaders beheading hostages. “Maraming beses na ako nakakita ng pinupugutan na hostage kapag walang mabigay na ransom, kasi kapag may pupugutan na kailangan namin manood lahat, magagalit ang commander kapag hindi namin pinanood,” Habib explained.
“Kung magpapakita ka ng awa sa kanila (hostages), o ng takot sa mangyayari, ikaw ang pagdidiskitahan nila (ASG leaders),” he added.
Habib also experienced fighting government forces in gun battles.
Despite his young age and inexperience, Habi said he wasn’t scared at all. “Kapag may baril ka, matapang ka,” he reasoned.
Living a violent life full of uncertainty made Habib yearn to live life as a civilian. “Gusto ko tumakas pero hindi ko alam paano kasi natatakot din ako,” he added.
He saw an opportunity to escape following another encounter against government troops in Baguindan last year. “Pagkatapos ng gyera sa Baguindan, nagdesisyon ako na tumakas at sumuko,” he said.
“Pagod na kasi ako sa buhay sa loob ng kampo, gusto ko ng mag-aral, nami-miss ko na ang mga kapatid ko, gusto kong lumabas na hindi natatakot at kailangang magtago,” he said, teary-eyed.
Habib was only too happy to find his way home, with his mother welcoming him with a warm embrace. “Ang saya saya ko nu’ng nakita ko ‘yung nanay ko na nasa bahay na,” he said.
Now 18, Habib said he wants to go back to school and become a policeman. “Para ako naman ang po-protekta sa mga taga-Basilan laban sa mga Abu Sayyaf,” he said, smiling.
