Abu Sayyaf hostage pleads for life

Troops hunting the Abu Sayaf have had to chase a waterborne foe

By Rufi Vigilar

MANILA, Philippines (CNN) -- An American hostage held in the Philippines by Muslim separatist guerrillas has pleaded for his life, and that of his wife, in a radio address granted him by his captors.

Martin Burnham on Monday appealed to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over DXRZ-RMN radio to halt an intensified search-and-rescue offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, saying he and his wife may be killed.

Guerrilla spokesman Abu Sabaya spoke on the radio after Burnham. Sabaya uttered a death threat against Burnham and his wife, Gracia, warning the Philippine government to end military operations against the kidnappers.

Sabaya also hinted for the the first time to Abu Sayyaf links with the Al-Qaeda terrorist network led by Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

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"I'm very tired and weak and frightened. We have lost a lot of weight and from walking a lot we are," Burnham said, adding that they were being made to sleep on the ground.

"I'm always tied or kicked. I'm always in the center of the group. I'm always chained. I'm always tied so I cannot escape."

"The message of the Abu Sayyaf is that Americans everywhere are in danger. We have been targeted because we are Americans and I think there is a possibility they can execute us if things do not go according to their desire," Burnham said.

Burnham also said he suffered a "superficial" wound from a grenade blast during an earlier rescue attempt.

Asked if he had any personal messages, Burnham appealed to President Arroyo to "negotiate" for their release, "so she can present us as the gift to President Bush" during her trip to Washington in November.

The military said Burnham may have been speaking under Sabaya's duress.

Burnham also sent advance birthday greetings to his daughter.

The Abu Sayyaf seized the Burnhams, a third American hostage Guillermo Sobero who has since been confirmed dead and 17 Filipino hostages from western Palawan province on May 27.

They were then brought to Basilan province, a guerrilla stronghold some 900 km (560 miles) south of Manila.

Al-Qaeda link

Speaking in Filipino after Burnham, Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya did not deny possible links with the Al-Qaeda terrorist network holed up in Afghanistan, where U.S.-led coalition troops are conducting air strikes.

"The Muslims are our brothers . . . I am not saying we have no contact with them," Sabaya said.

Sabaya claimed that they had abducted the Americans for political reasons.

"Like we have said, we did this because (the U.S. government is) supporting Israel to oppress the Palestinian people."

Sabaya also threatened to kill the Burnham couple, who have been Christian missionaries in the Philippines for years.

"The rescue operations should first be stopped . . . If this doesn't happen, (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) may be bringing corpses to America."

Arroyo is scheduled to visit the United States in mid-November, the same month the military has set a deadline to subdue the Abu Sayyaf.

A U.S. contingent is expected to arrive in the Philippines in the next two weeks to help government troops do battle with the kidnappersup.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez told CNN the contingent would have no direct part in the military operations.

"Their participation will be limited to providing special equipment, training, and sharing of intelligence information," Golez said.