June 26, 2001, The Philippine Star, Sayyaf's Sabaya threatens to behead more hostages, by Roel Pareño,

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The Abu Sayyaf threatened yesterday to behead two American hostages before President Arroyo's scheduled visit to the US next month unless the government negotiates for their release and halts military offensives in Basilan. 

Abu Sabaya, spokesman for the bandit group, claimed he would kill missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham of Wichita, Kansas, in time for the President's Nov. 20 trip to meet with US President George W. Bush. 

"It would be very embarrassing if President Arroyo goes to the US with the bodies of Martin and Gracia," Sabaya told Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) by telephone. 

The Abu Sayyaf has kidnapped dozens of foreigners and Filipinos in recent months and raised millions of dollars in ransom. The group, which has beheaded several hostages, including an American, has suspected links to Osama bin Laden, the Saudi dissident accused of plotting the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington. The Abu Sayyaf still holds the two Americans and at least 10 Filipinos. 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Malacañang strongly rejected yesterday Sabaya's demand that an ongoing military offensive be halted. 

"Now that we have them cornered and their end is near, under no conditions are we going to stop our military operations," said AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan. 

"Our desire is to conduct a safe rescue of the hostages and destroy the Abu Sayyaf," he said. "They want the government to kneel but that will not happen." 

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao has said the Arroyo administration is willing to discuss with the rebels only the unconditional release of the captives. 

In a prepared statement read by Tiglao, the President said she has instructed a government emissary to continue negotiation for the unconditional release of all hostages. 

She appealed to the kidnappers to spare the lives of the innocents, including the American missionary couple. 

"The Burnhams have spent their lives in the service of the Almighty, and do not deserve to be hostages for ransom or be pawns in a propaganda war," she said. 

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said the President will not be threatened and the military will continue with the operations to crush the Abu Sayyaf. 

"The response of the President is as follows – the reason why the military is there in Basilan is because the Abu Sayyaf terrorists have the hostages," Golez said. "So, for as long as the terrorists have the hostages, the military offensive will continue." 

The Burnhams, along with Peruvian-American Guillermo Sobero and 17 Filipinos, were taken hostage from the upscale Dos Palmas resort island off Palawan on May 27. Skeletal remains of Sobero were found more than a week ago in Basilan, ending speculation that he may be alive despite the kidnappers' claim they beheaded him in June. Their original threat to kill Sobero was also coupled with a demand that the military call off its offensive.

Burnham airs appeal 

During the interview, a man Sabaya identified as Martin Burnham told RMN he was "very tired, weak and scared." 

"We have lost a lot of weight and... I was wounded at one early rescue attempt by a grenade but only a superficial wound and it is healed. My wife's feet are very blistered and sore," the hostage said. 

He said the kidnappers have threatened to kill him and "the message from the Abu Sayyaf is that the Americans everywhere are in danger." 

"Our children would be orphaned," he said, obviously sobbing. "They would like President Arroyo to please negotiate our release before her visit to the US so she could present us as a gift to President Bush." 

Allowed for the first time to speak, Burnham appealed to the government to halt its intensifying offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, where the hostages are held. 

"The artillery and the air strikes are very frightening because they were so random. They cannot rescue me with artillery," he said. 

Burnham said the Abu Sayyaf will probably survive the military offensive "but the hostages will not." 

Eventually, he said, "the hostages are going to succumb to sickness and some of them are going to be killed." 

Last Saturday, the fleeing bandits seized four farmers and beheaded two of them. The other two escaped. Early Sunday, troops rescued four Filipino hostages while hunting the kidnappers, military officials said. 

Burnham said that unlike the Filipino hostages, he has no chance of escape because he is chained and always heavily guarded. 

"I am always tied and kicked. I am always in the center of the group," he said. 

His voice cracked as he wished "happy birthday" to his daughter, Mindy, who celebrates it on Oct. 17. 

"This is our first opportunity to send them news that we are alive and well," Burnham said. 

He also said Sobero was executed by their captors on June 11. 

"I did not see his body and did not witness his death, but they told me they killed him and I believe they were telling the truth," Burnham said. – With Marichu Villanueva