The proper name of 'rebels' who kidnap is 'criminals'

The rescue of three hostages held by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the Philippines went badly, with two of the three killed. Investigators are still trying to determine whose bullets killed the hostages, those of Abu Sayyaf or those of the Philippine soldiers involved in the rescue.
It is important to know such things from a tactical standpoint, but not from a moral standpoint. Morally, the only persons responsible are members of Abu Sayyaf, who chose to take innocent people hostage and hold them for ransom.
Had they not dragged Martin Burnham and his wife, Gracia, from a cottage at a Philippine beach resort where the Burnhams had gone to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary, Martin would not have died Friday and Gracia would not have been wounded.
A year of torture
The couple was kidnapped May 27, 2001, and for more than a year they were dragged through the jungle, used as beasts of burden, poorly fed, denied medical attention, chained up each night.
The Burnhams were not wealthy people. They were in the Philippines as Christian missionaries. Yet Abu Sayyaf demanded $300,000 for their release. The kidnappers were also holding a Filipina hostage, Ediborah Yap, a nurse. She also died in the raid.
Members of Abu Sayyaf are often described as "Muslim rebels." But regardless of their religion or their politics, they are common criminals who brutalize their victims for the purpose of extorting money. And now, they are murderers as well.
As Gracia Burnham said as she boarded a plane to return to Kansas and her three now-fatherless children, her kidnappers were not men of honor.
Finally, perhaps, the Philippine military, aided by American advisers, will be able to give Abu Sayyaf the treatment it deserves. The military has launched an ambitious attack in the mountainous jungles on the islands of Jolo, Basilan and Mindanao.
Without their kidnap victims, Abu Sayyaf has not only lost a potential meal ticket, it has lost its human shield. Those who showed no mercy should now receive none.