Sipadan kidnap suspect surrenders
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An Abu Sayyaf bandit tagged in the kidnapping at a resort in Sipadan, Malaysia in 2000 surrendered in Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday.
Barri Lakibol, 44, a native of Bongao, also turned over his M14 rifle to the Marine Battalion Landing Team 12 (MBLT-12), Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief said yesterday.
“Based on our records, Lakibol was involved in the kidnapping of 21 hostages, including European citizens and other foreigners, on Sipadan Island in April 2000,” Vinluan said.
Lt. Col. Henry Espinosa, commanding officer of MBLT-12, said Lakibol bared during debriefing that he left the Abu Sayyaf in 2006 due to intensified military offensives.
Lakibol will be turned over to the local government unit of Bongao for possible enrolment in the government’s reintegration program.— Roel Pareño
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