U.S. Missionary Hostage Killed in Fighting -Source
June 07, 2002 04:51 AM ET
MANILA (Reuters) - U.S. missionary Martin Burnham was killed and his wife Gracia wounded in heavy fighting on Friday between Philippine troops and Muslim guerrillas who have held them hostage for over a year, a senior Philippine official said.
"At 2:30 this afternoon (2:30 a.m. EDT), there was fighting in Zamboanga del Norte. Martin Burnham is dead," the official, asking not to be identified, told Reuters.
"Gracia was wounded and an extrication process is underway to recover her. This is confirmed information," the official said.
He said an official announcement was expected to be made shortly.
The Burnhams have been held hostage by Muslim Abu Sayyaf guerrillas linked to Osama bin Laden since May 27 last year after they were kidnapped from a Philippine tourist resort.
BC-APNewsAlert,0026ZAMBOANGA, Philippines -- One American hostage dies, another rescued in Philippine army raid on Muslim guerrilla hideout, officials say.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)