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http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/FlashNewsStory.aspx?FlashOID=18930

Saturday, July 31, 2004 10:16 AM

"Arroyo thanks Gracia Burnham"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Malacañang on Friday thanked American missionary Gracia Burnham who testified against her suspected former captors in an emotional return to the country.

"I admire Gracia Burnham’s courage and faith and her determination to bring terrorists to justice," Arroyo said in a statement.

The President added: "The trial of the Abu Sayyaf who abducted her and her husband is living proof of our determined fight against terror in partnership with all nations and peoples. Her testimony also upholds the integrity and uncommon valor of our Armed Forces, and I thank her for her concern for our people’s peace and security."

Burnham on Thursday testified before Presiding Judge Loriefel Pahimla of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court, where kidnapping charges were filed, during a special hearing at the National Capital Region Police headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.

Burnham identified six arrested Abu Sayyaf bandits as the people who held her and her husband Martin for more than one year in Mindanao since they were kidnapped from the Dos Palmas island resort off Puerto Princesa City in Palawan on May 27, 2001."