It was Martin who was being carried on the stretcher. I had erroneously posted that it was Gracia, but someone pointed out my mistake in a reply on that thread.
Armed Forces to reinforce troops in cordon vs Abus
Posted: 6:22 PM (Manila Time) | Jun. 07, 2002
INQ7.net
THE ARMED Forces has sent more troops from the Army and the Marines to beef up its cordon around Sirawai and neighboring towns in Zamboanga del Norte to prevent remnants of the Abu Sayyaf bandits from escaping, an official said.
"We have deployed additional troops to prevent them from getting away Zamboanga del Norte," Southern Command spokesperson Lt. Col. Danilo Servando told radio dzBB. The report also noted increased presence of American soldiers, participating in the ongoing Balikatan 02-1 exercises, in the encounter site but did not say if they would directly take part in the battle.
He said government troops are engaged in a running gunbattle with the bandits after the rescue of American hostage Gracia Burnham Friday afternoon. Gracia's husband, Martin and another hostage, Filipina nurse Ediborah Yap, however, were killed.
Servando said police forces have also been deployed in coordination with the military to hunt down those who might have sought lair in houses of civilians.
He said they would not allow the Abu Sayyaf to once again slip military cordon, after eluding a tight blockade in Basilan, crossing over Zamboanga del Norte.