If you recall, this is the missionary couple where the wife survived but her husband was killed when Philippine military tried a rescue operation. These al Qaeda excrement heaps had blood on their hands and now they have the rest of their soul-less days on this earth to pace a prison cell.
And they got off easy.
Full story is here.
Today: December 06, 2007 at 12:15:5 PST
Philippine Court Convicts 14 Militants
By JIM GOMEZAssociated Press Writer
MANILA, Philippines (AP) -
Fourteen al-Qaida-linked Muslim militants were sentenced to life in prison Thursday for kidnapping a U.S. missionary couple and 18 others, beginning a yearlong jungle ordeal that prompted U.S.-backed offensives against the guerrillas.
Gracia Burnham survived, but her husband Martin was killed during a military rescue in 2002. Another American captive, Guillermo Sobero of Corona, Calif., had been beheaded earlier by the Abu Sayyaf rebels.
Most of the top leaders of the Abu Sayyaf, which orchestrated the abductions at a resort island, have been killed in clashes since the trial opened in 2003. Philippine officials have credited the U.S. counterterrorism training that started in 2002 for many of the battlefield successes.
"We commend the justice system for showing the rule of law," said Robert Courtney, the Justice Department's attache at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. He said he would relay the decision to Mrs. Burnham.
Out of 85 suspects originally charged with kidnapping, 23 were captured and tried, and 18 appeared in court.
Four were acquitted Thursday. Four others were killed in a botched prison break in 2005, and one has been cleared of charges.
Among those acquitted was the only woman in the group, Star Till, the sister of rebel leader Abu Serbia, who was killed by troops after the abductions.
"I'm so happy. Thanks to Allah! I'm taking my daughter home," said her mother, Assure Churning. "She was never a terrorist."
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