Abu Sayyaf: Here we go again (First of two parts)

Once again, and probably not surprising, bandits have kidnapped three members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as the missionaries were in transit from inspecting inmates' conditions and carrying out a water and sanitation project in a provincial jail. Armed men, now believed to be from the dastardly Abu Sayyaf Group, intercepted the group and took with them a Swiss and Italian national and a Filipina - all volunteers and members of the ICRC.

The penchant of the ASG in kidnapping helpless civilians, most of them involved in humanitarian work, is proven once again and that the continued existence of this extremist group will always be a threat to the region of Mindanao and to everybody else who want to help in this part of the world. We have the bittersweet memories of Martin and Gracia Burnham, who were also victims of abduction.

Haven't we had enough of the ASG? Just how many more people have to be kidnapped before government finally takes decisive action in eradicating this menace?

Thank God Hamas has not made a presence in Mindanao or we would have to contend with their rockets and other higher-powered firearms as well. Or perhaps we should employ the policy of Israel in dealing with terrorists, and that is, to go in and completely wipe the bandits out!

The bottom line is that the ASG cannot be taken lightly. Nor can we expect them not to commit these heinous crimes at any given time. Ideology is no longer an issue here, as these are bandits --- pure and simple. The demographics of their victims prove this - priests, humanitarian volunteers, civic oriented groups and missionaries. Such are all members of organizations the ASG believes would be more than willing to cough up ransom to get back their people.