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Kidnapped US couple still alive in Philippines
AFP ^ | Monday Nov. 26,2001 | AFP

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.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: burnham

1 posted on 11/26/2001 7:44:18 AM PST by d4now
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To: d4now
Abu Sayyaf rebels

Another way of saying, "Dead Men"

2 posted on 11/26/2001 7:49:17 AM PST by RoughDobermann
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To: d4now
May GOD protect them, comfort them, and bring them home safely!
3 posted on 11/26/2001 7:54:03 AM PST by mickeylee
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To: mickeylee
Amen, I've been praying for them too!
4 posted on 11/26/2001 8:09:37 AM PST by Registered
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To: Registered; mombonn
There was another thread on this same subject not more than five minutes ago.

Mombonn and I both sent prayers.

5 posted on 11/26/2001 8:11:31 AM PST by Slip18
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To: d4now
The couple also asked the mission if it could "send some goodies" for the hostages in Basilan.

Yeah, right. Let's feed their captors.

6 posted on 11/26/2001 8:25:29 AM PST by lowbridge
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To: Slip18
I searched twice to make sure this hadn't been posted.

Sorry for the double post.

7 posted on 11/26/2001 8:27:57 AM PST by d4now
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To: mickeylee
Amen.
8 posted on 11/26/2001 8:28:24 AM PST by d4now
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To: lowbridge
I can think of several things I'd like to feed their captors.
9 posted on 11/26/2001 8:30:17 AM PST by d4now
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To: d4now
Don't apologize to me, d4now! Even though I've been here for a while, bringing in articles is not my forte. Just wanted everyone to know. Yours may have been the first one!

And this article is well worth posting. Just hope these folks get out of the Phillipines in good health.

10 posted on 11/26/2001 9:04:39 AM PST by Slip18
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To: d4now
Here's more on the Burnhams-- bin Laden's Philippine cell: 7 win freedom; missionaries still held
11 posted on 11/26/2001 9:35:25 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: lowbridge
Yeah, right. Let's feed their captors.

Send them some pork salami.

12 posted on 11/26/2001 9:55:10 AM PST by Hugin
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To: Hugin
Why hasn't someone informed Abu Sayyaf that they're not being particularly *peaceful?*
13 posted on 11/26/2001 10:42:43 AM PST by ikanakattara
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To: RoughDobermann
I truly hope that after the NEXT three countries we're hearing about (Iraq, North Korea, Yemen, et al), we go in and clean these animals out of the Philipines and Indonesia.
14 posted on 11/26/2001 6:47:17 PM PST by gg188
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To: d4now
Our thoughts and prayers go out for their rescue and for their eternal souls - in the event those Muslim heretics murder them.
15 posted on 11/26/2001 8:41:40 PM PST by Hail Caesar
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To: d4now
For every Christian those heretics harm, millions of potential Crusaders will arise to avenge their deaths!
DEUS VULT!

16 posted on 11/26/2001 8:54:36 PM PST by Hail Caesar
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