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U.S. Hostage Killed in Philippines NewsMax WiresMANILA, Philippines -- A U.S. citizen and a Filipino nurse held hostage in the Philippines by Muslim separatists for more than a year, were killed and another captive injured Friday in a rescue attempt, a military spokesman said. Philippines Gen. Roy Cimatu said Martin Burnham and Ediborah Yap were killed during a pitched battle with Abu Sayyaf guerrillas about 2:30 p.m. in the jungles of Zamboanga del Norte. In addition, seven government soldiers were killed in the assault, the general said. Burnham’s wife, Gracia, was wounded in the rescue but was in a military hospital. Her injures were not believed to be life-threatening. Philippines television broadcast an interview with Lt. Gen. Narciso Abaya, who said Martin Burnham was dead when reached by the military. Gracia Burnham and Yap had each been wounded. Yap died at a hospital. Friday’s assault was not the first military action aimed at freeing the hostages. Last Dec. 7, Philippines military attacked Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, killing 11 of the militants. But the military did not find the hostages. The Burnhams, Christian missionaries from Kansas who had been in the Philippines since 1986, were among 20 people captured in May 2001 in southern Philippines. Most of the hostages were released after ransoms were paid. However, American Guillermo Sobero who was captured at the same time as the Burnhams was killed. According to the British Broadcasting Corp., Martin Burnham’s father said the family had paid a ransom for the couple, but the militants refused to hand over the missionaries. Copyright 2002 by United Press International. All rights reserved.
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