Rescued American (Gracia Burnham) Says Abu Sayyaf 'Common Criminals'

Reuters | June 9, 2002 | Reuters

[repubmom]

MANILA (Reuters) - Rescued American hostage Gracia Burnham said on Monday before flying home to the United States that Muslim guerrillas in the Philippines who kept her hostage for more than a year should be brought to justice.

"During our ordeal, we were repeatedly lied to by the Abu Sayyaf and they are not men of honor. They should be treated as common criminals. We support all efforts of the government in bringing these men to justice," Gracia Burnham said, with tears glistening in her eyes and her voice trembling.

She was rescued in southern Zamboanga del Norte province on Friday during a gunbattle between troops and the guerrillas in which her husband, Martin and a Filipina nurse, were killed.

Gracia Burnham suffered bullet wounds in both legs.

The Burnhams, from Wichita, Kansas, were abducted from a Philippine tourist resort in May last year and held for more than one year in the longest hostage saga in the Philippines involving foreigners.

Filipina nurse, Deborah Yap was also a hostage.

The Burnhams, married for 19 years, had been working as missionaries in the mainly Catholic country for 15 years when they were kidnapped.

"Thank you for the precious memories you gave us during our 15 years here. Martin loves this country with all his heart," she said, her voice breaking as she mentioned her husband in her departure statement at Manila's international airport.

"We want to thank each and every one of you for every time you remembered us in prayer. We needed every single prayer you prayed for us during our ordeal in the jungle."

REJOINING CHILDREN

Burnham, wearing a bright red shirt, did not take any questions at her first public appearance after her rescue. She was sitting in a wheelchair with her heavily bandaged right leg stretched out on a top of a small pillow.

"I return to the States this morning to rejoin my children and to put my life back together. Part of my heart will always stay with the Filipino people," she said.

Burnham has three children -- Jeff, 15, Mindy, 12, and Zach, 11 -- who have been taken care of by Martin's parents.

"She is upbeat, she really believes that God is in control, and that for whatever reason, it was meant to be," Scott Ross, a spokesman for New Tribes Mission, the Florida-based organization that sponsored the Burnhams and other missionaries around the world, told Reuters in the United States.

"The three children are very excited to see her," Ross said.

The United States has linked the Abu Sayyaf to Saudi-born dissident Osama bin Laden ( news - web sites) and his al Qaeda network, alleged masterminds of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Regarded as the most violent of the Muslim separatist groups, the Abu Sayyaf claims to fight for an Islamic state in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines but pursues kidnap for ransom as its main activity.

[repubmom]

She's on her way home! PTL! And Martin is home in the truest sense of the word.

[repubmom]

Just thinking about those kids seeing their mama after a year brings joyful tears to my eyes! Such a bittersweet time for them all. Prayers for grace and strength as they face the memorial service and all the emotions of Gracia's homecoming.

[esmith]

Gracia's brother-in-law said that President Bush had called her and told her He & Laura had prayed for them every day. He asked that she and her children come to the White House so he could talk to the children and maybe help them understand their loss.

[Hipixs]

Recently freed American hostage Gracia Burnham smiles as she is carried on a wheelchair before her departure at Manila's International Airport early Monday, June 10, 2002. Gracia leaves the country after more than a year in captivity by the al-Qaida linked Abu Sayyaf group in southern Basilan island. Her husband Martin and a Filipino hostage, Ediborah Yap, died in a shootout Friday, June 7, when government troops ambushed their captors in the jungles of Zamboanga province, southern Philippines. Gracia was shot through the thigh during the rescue operation. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

[BlessedAmerican]

May God continue to be her ever present Guide through these next days. May He grant patience to her family and her children as they resume their relationship and deal with the lose of their father. May He be their strength.

[homeschool mama]

Agreeing with you in prayer, BA. Amen and Amen.

[dennisw]

TUFF STUFF!!!! No Stockholm syndrome for her. Her husband is gone but her children are there for her.

[Revolting cat!]

They should be treated as common criminals.

But, but but, Tom, Peter and Dan, along with all the nameless, unrecognized for their contributions opinion makers in American newsrooms who so carefully choose descriptors, say they are merely "rebels", like you know, James Dean and Robin Hood.

[repubmom]

How wonderful - what a blessing for her to know that people all over the world -including the president- were praying for her.

[mombonn]

They should be treated as common criminals.

I am SO thrilled to hear she is on her way home with JOY in her heart, as well as spunk!

I can't wait to hear her interviewed, and I'm willing pop anyone in the nose who accuses her of Stockholm syndrome when she speaks.

God bless the Burnham family, and may the reunion be sweet with her entire family.

May the Lord be especially gracious to the children.

[repubmom]

Thanks for posting - she looks wonderful considering her plight for the last year!

[mombonn]

Thank you for this picture - she's BEAUTIFUL!

[MarMema]

I am still in shock and wonder. Look at that photo!!
God surely answers prayers. I just want to cry looking at that photo. This is terrible but I would love to see the first reunion....and hopefully no one will tape it for me or anyone else to see. LOL.
Thank you God and All Glory to you, Oh Lord.
It could have been so much worse. I am really thankful for this one survivor.
Memory Eternal, Martin and Deborah!! The angels celebrate your arrival.

[grimalkin]

She looks great after that horrible ordeal. I hope God grants her and her family peace.

[coydog]

I think "Stockholm Syndrome" is overrated, and is a drummed-up excuse to justify more glorification of savages and more denigration of civilized people. I sincerely regret that Pershing is no longer with us; he knew what to do with these man-shaped monsters.

[McGavin999]

I am in total awe of this woman. May God grant her peace and strength for the time ahead.

BTW, think of the wonderful people who made sure she looked her best for the cameras. There is some woman out there with a really big heart and considerate soul, who thought to help her fix her hair and makeup. Whoever you are, bless you.

[Chemnitz]

They are vermin and worse than that. These cowards cannot fight men. They go after innocents instead. They should be hunted down and eliminated.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Your post #17 AGREE TOTALLY!! Prayers for her and her children. It is so amazing to see how people who are believers handle things that are so horrible. Of course grieving doesn't mean we don't believe (Jesus cried over Lazarus, but then went on to raise him from the dead,.. so many messages there, huh?).. but what I mean is, I sure don't know how people go on without believing. It would seem so hopeless.

She is just an amazing woman. I'm just so sorry this didn't turn out differently,.. but have a feeling this little lady is going to teach us all a few things about "believing". :o)

[ValerieUSA]

Oh, what a heartwarming message from President Bush -- I hadn't heard about that.