WASHINGTON — Widowed missionary Gracia Burnham said that she was satisfied with July 23rd’s federal indictment of five Abu Sayyaf terrorist group leaders charged with kidnapping her husband and others in the Philippines and ultimately causing his death.
Burnham and her husband were taken hostage in May 2001. She was rescued June 7, after 376 days, but her husband was killed in crossfire during the rescue. The men, still at large though one is believed to be dead, were charged Tuesday by a federal grand jury with conspiracy and hostage-taking resulting in death.
Those indicted Tuesday were Khadafi Abubakar Janjalani, the group’s spiritual leader; Isnilon Totoni Hapilon, deputy of Abu Sayyaf; Hamsiraji Marusi Sali, a commander; Jainal Antel Sali Jr., an intelligence officer; and Aldam Tilao, also known as Abu Sabaya, a spokesman. Tilao was reportedly killed in June by the Filipino military, but his body has not been recovered.
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