Militants jailed for life

A Philippine court has sentenced 17 members of the Abu Sayyaf militant group to life imprisonment for their roles in the 2000 kidnapping of 21 individuals from a resort in Sipadan, Malaysia. The court convicted the militants on multiple counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, with the Department of Justice stating that this ruling reflects their commitment to upholding the rule of law. Among those convicted were leaders Hilarion Santos and Redendo Dellosa, both linked to international terrorist organizations, including Al-Qaeda. The hostages, which included nationals from various countries, were held for months in harsh conditions before being released following substantial ransom payments. Although the kidnappers could not be charged with terrorism due to laws enacted after the abductions, they have been ordered to compensate the victims. This conviction underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region and the importance of vigilance against extremist groups.