06 February 2002

Lawmaker Calls Attention to Plight of American Hostages in Philippines

Washington -- Representative Todd Tiahrt (Republican of Kansas) brought up the case of the two American missionaries kidnapped by the Abu Sayaff group in the Philippines in a February 6 speech in the House of Representatives.

Martin and Gracia Burnham, the two missionaries captured by the Abu Sayaff group on May 27 of last year, are from Tiahrt's congressional district. The Kansas Republican has traveled to the Philippines to discuss their plight with officials there.

The Burnhams, Tiahrt said, were "snatched out of bed" by the Muslim terrorists while at a vacation resort in the Philippines.

The Abu Sayaff group, he added, has ties to the terrorist organization al Qaeda, and a record of brutality and disregard for human life.

Tiahrt reminded fellow lawmakers that a third American, Guillermo Sobero of California, was also taken hostage by the terrorists and subsequently beheaded in June of 2001.

The two missionaries are all that remain of the group of 21 hostages taken in May, he noted, "it has been eight long months for them and their family, especially their three young children, Jeff, Mindy and Zach."

The Burnhams, Tiahrt added, "have lost considerable weight and have suffered from malaria, artillery wounds, eye infections and numerous sores and cuts."

The Kansas lawmaker asked members of Congress and Americans "to pray for the safe and swift release of Martin and Gracia Burnham from this endless nightmare."