PHILIPPINES: PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO TELLS U.S PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH THAT ABU SAYYAF REBELS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR DEATH OF AMERICAN HOSTAGE

Record ID: 640582

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO TELLS U.S PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH THAT ABU SAYYAF REBELS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR DEATH OF AMERICAN HOSTAGE
  • Date: 9th June 2002
  • Summary: (U5) MANILA, PHILIPPINES (JUNE 7, 2002) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) MISER SAYING "We were very saddened by this news. This was tragic it's a shock to the family of Martin and Gracia. I ask you to pay for Gracia right now as she recovers from these wounds. I pray for her children. The three children Geoff, Mindy and Zachery. For her family, the extended families and for everybody who has been affected by this tragic news. This is very difficult."
  • Embargoed: 24th June 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVADO7BOPB6RLS6H1SGFT828GN45
  • Story Text: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has told U.S. President George W. Bush on Friday her government would hold Muslim rebels linked to Osama bin Laden accountable for the death of an American missionary held hostage for more than a year.
    Arroyo spoke as the body of a Filipina nurse, Deborah Yap, was being shipped back to the capital Manila.
    She was also killed during the firefight.
    "She (Arroyo) assured me that the Philippine government would hold the terrorist group accountable for how they treated these Americans, that justice would be done," Bush told reporters. "We're obviously going to look at all the particulars and the facts."
    U.S. missionary Martin Burnham was killed during a rescue mission by Philippines troops.
    Burnham's wife, Gracia, was recovering in a hospital with a bullet wound to the leg sustained in the fighting in the jungle of Zamboanga del Norte province on southern Mindanao island, 800 km (500 miles) south of Manila, officials said.
    A Filipina nurse held hostage by the same Abu Sayyaf rebels linked to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network, was also killed in the rescue attempt, the officials said.
    U.S. troops deployed in the southern Philippines to train Philippine soldiers in counter-terrorism operations were not involved in the clash.
    The Burnhams were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas on May 27, 2001, a day after they arrived at a beach resort off Palawan island to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary.
    Bush said he planned to call Martin Burnham's parents to express his sympathies. Arroyo has already called the family, Bush said. "I thanked her for reaching out," he added.
    Around 1,000 U.S. troops are training Filipino soldiers fighting the guerrillas.
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