May 29, 2001, Chicago Sun-Times, Kidnappers threaten harm, by Paul Alexander,

May 29, 2001, Chicago Sun-Times, Kidnappers threaten harm, by Paul Alexander,

MANILA, Philippines A Muslim extremist group on Monday issued a veiled threat to harm 20 kidnapped tourists-including three Americans.

One of the leaders of the Abu Sayyaf rebel group claimed responsibility in a call to a radio station on Monday.

The rebel, named Abu Sabaya, allowed American Martin Burnham and another hostage to speak. "We are safe and we are appealing for a peaceful negotiations," Burnham said. "They are treating us well."

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said she would not give in to any ransom demands and offered $2 million for the capture of rebel leaders.

"I am ready to do everything to crush the bandits, to allow the hostages to safely return to their families," Arroyo said on national television.

The group kidnapped three Americans and 17 Filipinos from the upscale Dos Palmas Island Resort on Sunday.

Sabaya said Jeffrey Schilling, an Oakland, Calif., man whom the military freed from the Abu Sayyaf in an April raid, was not seriously harmed because he was a Muslim convert.

Burnham and his wife, Gracia, who were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary, are Protestant missionaries who have lived in the Philippines since 1986. The third American is Guillermo Sobero, of Corona, Calif.

"What I can say is we should not compare Jeffrey because Jeffrey is a Muslim, so we hesitated to hurt him. Now, we have three Americans. It is hard for us to be shamed," Sabaya said.