Posted on 11/26/2001 7:44:18 AM PST by d4now
Kidnapped US couple still alive in Philippines, appeal for supplies
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines, Nov 26 (AFP)
A US Christian missionary couple held captive by Muslim Abu Sayyaf gunmen in the southern Philippines on Monday appealed for food supplies and said they were still being held in Basilan island's jungle-clad terrain.
In a handwritten letter to the New Tribes Mission in Manila, Martin Burnham said he and his wife, Gracia, "really want to go home" to their children now in the care of their grandparents in Wichita, Kansas.
"Communication with the outside (world) has become a problem. I don't need to tell (you) that we really want to go home. We love you guys and appreciate all that you are doing on our behalf," Burnham said in his letter delivered to Radio Mindanao Network here.
The couple also asked the mission if it could "send some goodies" for the hostages in Basilan. Filipino hostages freed earlier this month said the couple had difficulty adjusting to the rough conditions in captivity and did not have enough nourishment.
The Burnhams are the last hostages from among 20 people seized by the Abu Sayyaf from a beach resort in May and later taken to Basilan.
A third American, Californian Guillermo Sobero, was killed by the gunmen in June while the rest of the captives had been rescued or freed allegedly after ransom payments.
Abu Sayyaf rebels snatched more Filipino captives in Basilan, of whom only one, nurse Deborah Yap, remains hostage along with the Burnhams.
The Abu Sayyaf has been linked by both Manila and Washington to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network and Philippine President Gloria Arroyo recently received a pledge from the US government that it will send more military aid to help crush the group.
The Philippine military on Monday said the Abu Sayyaf apparently also received help from armed supporters of renegade Muslim leader Nur Misuari, who last week allegedly led a failed uprising that left more than 100 people dead in nearby Jolo island.
Arroyo last week said she had personally assured the Burnham couple's relatives her government was doing its best to secure them alive.
At least 5,000 soldiers have been scouring Basilan's rugged terrain in the past seven months to rescue the captives.
Another way of saying, "Dead Men"
Mombonn and I both sent prayers.
Yeah, right. Let's feed their captors.
Sorry for the double post.
And this article is well worth posting. Just hope these folks get out of the Phillipines in good health.
Send them some pork salami.
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