After six years of seeking justice for the 2001 kidnapping of an American missionary couple and 18 others killing five of them in southern Philippines, 14 members of the Abu Sayyaf group have been convicted by the local court for life imprisonment.
Abu Sayyaf, with affiliation to the international al-Qaeda network, was a terror group who adversely infiltrated Mindanao, the southern part of the Philippines.
With the knowledge of al-Qaeda linkages with the Abu Sayyaf members and two of the hostages were Americans, Washington sent troops to extinguish the terror group.
Abu Sayyaf has also been reported to be the mastermind of a ferry bombing in the country that occurred in 2004, killing more than 100 passengers.
With combined efforts of the Philippine and American soldiers in attacking the rebel group, the Sayyaf members weakened after its key leaders were killed in fierce and separate encounters in later years.
Judge Loreser Pahilna of Branch 69 of the Taguig regional trial court issued the life imprisonment verdict recently. Originally, there were 85 suspects, 23 were tried but only 18 made a court’s appearance. Fourteen were proven guilty and the other four captured were acquitted.
State Prosecutor Aries Reyes said this is a strong sign that the Philippine government is really serious to combat terrorism and this is a ‘victory against terrorism.’
US Department of Justice attache Robert Courtney said the verdict was a strong message about the seriousness of the Philippine criminal justice system and law enforcement to punish those involved in terrorism activities.
With this court decision, the families of those who were killed and kidnapped finally met the justice that they have been waiting for. It also served as a lesson that the Philippine government has iron fist in combating terror acts endangering the lives of many Filipinos.
BBC News
Inquirer.Net
