[Terp]

It's a terrorist group, not a gang.

Yep, but the Filipino's I've talked to consider them a gang of thugs who kidnapp for ransom and kill for profit. There may be some true Islamist's among them but most are after money.

Terp in Cebu City, Philippines

[dsc]

"Yep, but the Filipino's I've talked to consider them a gang of thugs who kidnapp for ransom and kill for profit. There may be some true Islamist's among them but most are after money."

There's truth in that, but at the same time, many if not most Filipinos are under-informed as to the extent of Islam's culpability.

The successive governments have kept hoping for a negotiated settlement short of an "independent Islamic homeland," and so have drawn back from calling a spade a spade. News outlets have cooperated.

Without Islamic rebellion as a cover, of course, many would be exposed as mere bandits. At the same time, as this incident shows, Islamic terrorism that is not a ploy for money is a major factor.

[Bayou City]

Bump for later!

[American in Israel]

There may be some true Islamist's among them but most are after money.

The two concepts are not mutualy exclusive, Islam was all about Caravan raiding when Mohamad started it. Robery, theft, extortion, torture, and conquest, all are fine principles of the Koran.

These guys are just following their scriptures literaly.