January 22, 2002, AFP, Shuttered kidnap hotel in Philippine re-opens,

January 22, 2002, AFP, Shuttered kidnap hotel in Philippine re-opens,

MANILA, Jan 22 (AFP) -

An upscale western Philippines island resort that went bust last year after Abu Sayyaf guerrillas carried off its American and Filipino guests said it plans to reopen in March under stricter security.

The Dos Palmas hotel, on tiny Arrecife island off the western Philippine island province of Palawan, closed shop in October, five months after Abu Sayyaf gunmen raided the resort and seized 20 hostages, including three Americans.

The hostages were taken to the southern island of Basilan but most were later freed allegedly in exchange for ransom while at least three were killed, including American Guillermo Sobero.

US Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham are still held hostage along with a Filipina nurse seized in a separate abduction in Basilan.

The Dos Palmas owners said in a statement that it was "doing very well until the hostage taking incident last year."

"It tried to stand up again despite lack of business after that but the September 11 attack on the US affected worldwide tourism and forced Dos Palmas to close in October."

But instead of letting the resort go to seed, the firm said it has secured funds to resume business in two months' time.

It said "security concerns" have also been addressed with the help of the local government, but did not elaborate.

The Abu Sayyaf is a small group of Islamic militants linked by both Manila and Washington to the al-Qaeda network of Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.