The Abu Sayyaf makes an industry out of kidnapping

For more than three decades, guerrillas belonging to the Muslim minority have been fighting for independence for their homeland in the south of this predominantly Christian country.

But when such groups embark on a kidnapping spree their motives are not necessarily political.

A lucrative business

The government is trying to revive peace talks with the main Muslim separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF.

Although the authorities have occasionally accused the MILF of carrying out the abductions, the group says it never uses such tactics.

Philippines tourism secretary Richard Gordon

In contrast, a much smaller armed group, the Abu Sayyaf, makes an industry out of kidnapping.

Last year it abducted dozens of Filipinos and foreigners and collected millions of dollars of ransom.

The Abu Sayyaf say that it too is fighting for Muslim independence but although many of its members are former guerrillas there is very little that is political in any of their escapades.

When the government describes it simply a gang of bandits, its description is quite accurate.