A DEADLY SNIPER AT 10 YEARS OLD
ASG’s youngest terrorist can now live normal life
ISABELA, Basilan – Young, small and altogether frail-looking, no one would think 10-year-old Tarik a terrorist. But he is actually a battle-scarred member of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a trained sniper at that.
ISABELA, Basilan – Young, small and altogether frail-looking, no one would think 10-year-old Tarik a terrorist. But he is actually a battlescarred member of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a trained sniper at that.
We met Tarik recently at the launch of Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE), a new project by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that is aimed towards helping surrendered extremists reintegrate into mainstream society.
Tarik looked a tad lost huddled among 139 other surrendered ASG members at the launch.
To break the ice, we asked him about the supposed scar on his butt cheek as related by another, older surrendered ASG.
He initially said he got it from an accident. He later on revealed he got it in a firefight with the military.
The youngest of eight siblings, all of whom joined the ASG, Tarik is only one of two who took the chance to surrender to authorities. Three of his siblings have died in separate gun battles.
Asked why he joined the terrorist group, The Basilan native said, “Galit ako sa gobyerno kasi sila ang pumatay sa mga magulang ko.”
The boy claimed military men killed his parents while he was still a baby.
“Napagkamalan silang members ng Abu Sayyaf,” he said. “Maliit pa ako nu’n. Dumedede pa ako nu’n kaya hindi ko na rin sila maalala.”
Based on the account of his grandmother, Tarik said his mother, who was pregnant then, was shot dead by the military for no apparent reason.
“Kakatapos lang niyang maligo, bigla siyang binaril,” he said.
Upon the death of his parents, Tarik lived with his grandmother.
His assimilation to the ASG became complete when his grandmother passed away due to illness. He said he was recruited to the group together with his siblings. They agreed after being promised food and lodging.
“Sayol (vegetables) at tuyong isda ang pagkain namin doon sa bundok palagi,” he related.
Tarik admitted life as a bandit was hard. He often wished to be able to play like most children his age.
Asked if he wanted to go to school, Tarik said he’d rather not as he felt it would be too “tiring” and “boring.”
Apparently, he only decided to surrender after the leader of his group already yielded.
At the PAVE launch, Tarik’s face visibly lit up when he was given a black bicycle.
ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman said PAVE will help surrenderees live normal, productive lives.
“Iba’t-iba ang dahilan ng kanilang pagsama sa Abu Sayyaf. Dahil iba’tibang dahilan ang kanilang pagsama, gumawa din tayo ng iba’t-ibang programa at alituntunin na akma sa pagakay sa kanila,” Hataman said.
“Ito ay oportunidad para sa bagong buhay. We provide an avenue for psychosocial healing,” he added.
Tarik believes in peace. He believes that children should enjoy the company of other children and play freely without fear of being killed.
He has no plans or dreams. He is just happy to know he will no longer have to hide in the mountains in grueling conditions.
Tarik said he hopes to pursue Islamic Studies later in life. When asked why, the 10-year-old boy just gave a impish smile and rode away on his bicycle.