Word: gracia
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...more a band of local thugs than a worldwide terrorism threat. Still, the group's brutal record of kidnapping--and beheading--foreigners as well as Filipinos (close to 100 murdered since 1991) makes it a legitimate target. The fact that Abu Sayyaf still holds hostage U.S. missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, said Rumsfeld, only "adds a dimension to our interest...
...Still, its estimated hard core of 400 fighters is heavily armed, and dangerous. And besides their historic links with al Qaeda, they continue to pose a terrorist threat to U.S. citizens - the organization currently holds hostage the Wichita, Kansas couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, and last year kidnapped and beheaded Californian Guillermo Sobero. Sending U.S. troops to help wipe out Abu Sayyaf may be part of a strategy to eliminate havens of lawlessness in which al Qaeda may attempt to regroup. It's a project enthusiastically supported by the Philippine government, which has made heavy weather of its own efforts...
...when he and a Filipina were dragged out of their bungalow at the Dos Palmas diving resort in Palawan island by rebels of the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic militant group described by a U.S. official as "Kidnap Inc." The terrorists also grabbed a Kansas missionary couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham, who were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary, and 13 Filipinos. They were forced into speedboats and hauled 400 km to Basilan, the terrorists' island lair off southern Mindanao. Rebels last week claimed they had beheaded Sobero, but the Philippine military said it couldn't confirm the killing...
...Commander Abu Sabaya vowed last week to kill the remaining hostages quickly, including American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, if the army didn't cease its pursuit. "It would be a pity if you provoke us," warned the rebel spokesman. "We will behead the whites...