1.   They stepped up ransom kidnappings, extortion and the protection of coca fields, jungle laboratories and clandestine airstrips.

2.   A coconut plantation owner was abducted in the southern Philippines Sunday despite a government crackdown on ransom kidnappings.

3.   But the rebels have so far refused to commit to halting extortion and ransom kidnapping, an important revenue source for them.

4.   But the restoration of the death penalty was largely welcomed following a series of brutal murders and ransom kidnappings.

5.   But that agreement, which gave Chechnya de facto independence, led to rampant crime, ransom kidnappings and deadly factional disputes.

6.   Chinese-Filipino groups urged President Fidel Ramos on Thursday to take stronger actions against an upsurge in ransom kidnappings.

7.   Crime, including ransom kidnappings, became widespread and the Chechen government, plagued by factional disputes, exerted little control.

8.   Despite government crackdowns, ransom kidnappings have persisted in many areas in the Philippines.

9.   Fear of crime is genuine, following a wave of bank robberies, ransom kidnappings and drug-related offenses.

10.   Former Muslim secessionist rebels who have turned to banditry are suspected in many ransom kidnappings in the southern Philippines.