Court convicts 14 Abu Sayyaf militants of 2001 mass kidnapping

(6 Dec 2007) SHOTLIST
1. Various of handcuffed accused Abu Sayyaf militants getting out of prison trucks and walking into courthouse
2. Security officers removing handcuffs off accused militants
3. Various of accused militants in court
4. Media filming and taking photographs through courthouse window
5. Wide of accused militants standing in front of judge to hear verdict
6. Wide of court clerk reading verdict
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Court Clerk, Name Not Given:
"Wherefore, the court finds the following accused in criminal cases numbers 125323 to 42-h guilty beyond reasonable doubt as principals for the crimes of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom."
8. Various of media surrounding militants as they are loaded into prison van
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Courtney, Justice Department Attache at the US Embassy:
"I think it shows that the rule of law applies in the Philippines in terrorism cases and it sends a strong message about the capability of the Philippines law enforcement to deal with terrorist activities through the criminal justice system."
10. Wide of kidnap victim being interviewed
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Angelica Montealegre, Kidnap Victim:
"After hearing the verdict of the Abu Sayyaf, we felt satisfied, and of course the continuing effort of the government especially the DOJ (Department of Justice), we are very satisfied with the result but although there are some Abu Sayyaf (militants) that are still at large. So we (are) still bothered for our safety."
12. Wide of security convoy taking militants to prison
STORYLINE
A Philippine court convicted 14 Islamic militants on Thursday of abducting a US missionary couple and 18 others in a 2001 kidnapping spree that left two Americans dead and prompted Washington to start training Filipino troops.
Most of the top leaders of the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group, orchestrated the abductions at the resort island of Palawan, have been killed in clashes since the trial began in 2003.
Philippine officials have credited the US counter-terrorism training that started in 2002 for many of the battlefield successes.
Out of 85 suspects originally charged with kidnapping, 23 were captured and tried, and 18 appeared in court.
Fourteen were sentenced on Thursday to life in prison and ordered to pay damages to the victims.
Four were acquitted and four others were killed in a botched prison break in 2005, and one has been cleared of charges.
Robert Courtney, the Justice Department's Attache at the US embassy in Manila praised the efforts of the Philippines government.
"It sends a strong message about the capability of the Philippines law enforcement to deal with terrorist activities through the criminal justice system," Courtney told AP Television.
He said he would relay the decision to Gracia Burnham, who was wounded and her husband killed during their rescue at the end of the yearlong ordeal.
Angelica Montealegre, a former hostage, expressed relief at the convictions, but said she was concerned that some guerrillas still remain at large.
"We are very satisfied with the result but although there are some Abu Sayyaf (militants) that are still at large," Montealegre said.
"So we (are) still bothered for our safety," she added.
Among those acquitted was the only woman in the group, Satra Tilao, the disabled sister of rebel leader Abu Sabaya who was killed by troops after the abductions.

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