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By Noel T. Tarrazona
Philippine correspondent for ASSIST News Service
ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES (ANS) -- A former
Siasi Municipal official yesterday theorized that if the Burnham couple is no longer in
Basilan Province, then the only place the Abu Sayyaf members can bring their hostages is
Sulu. For two weeks now, there has been no reported sightings of the Abu Sayyaf Group
(ASG) hostages American Missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham.
Lawyer Arden Anni, former congressman of the 2nd district of Sulu and erstwhile mayor of
Siasi municipality, said there is the possibility that because of military pressure
against the ASG in Basilan, its hostages will be turned over to the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF) renegades in Sulu.
The MNLF renegades is another Islamic rebel group fighting for a separate Islamic state in
the Southern Philippines. Anni also postulated that once the MNLF renegades take custody
of the Burnham couple, they will pressure the government to release former MNLF Chair Nur
Misuari in exchange of the freedom of the Burnham couple and possibly including Filipino
nurse Ediborah Yap.
At the height of this initial report, US spy planes hovering over Sulu Province were noted
which were questioned by Sulu officials like Sulu governor Yusop Jikiri and Provincial
Board member lawyer Edil Badiri. However, Jikiri denied that the Burnham couple is
now in the province of Sulu.
Despite the utilization of sophisticated facilities of American troops, the exact location
of the ASG hostages was not determined as of press time. More US troops are expected to
arrive in Zamboanga City and Basilan Province for the Balikatan 02-1, an RP- US joint
military exercise in support to the US-led campaign against global terrorism. Talks are
now underway between Washington and the RP government for the possible extension of
Balikatan 02-1 which is expected to end in July this year.
Earlier, majority members of the City council passed a resolution supporting the extension
of Balikatan for a reasonable time. This was backed by the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce,
Bankers Association of the Philippines and Office of City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat.
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