Philippine Muslim extremist group threatens to kill hostages

Associated Press WriterMANILA, Philippines (AP) -- A Muslim extremist group claimed Wednesday it will kill an American missionary couple if a U.S.-backed pursuit gets too "one-sided" and ruled out further negotiations for their release. The Philippine military vowed to intensify its operation to finish off the Abu Sayyaf and rescue the hostages.

The conflicting threats came after a week of renewed activity in the 11-month-old saga that has hurt the country's image, emboldened other kidnap gangs and become an extension of the U.S. war on terrorism.

First, the father of hostage Martin Burnham went on local radio to accuse the Abu Sayyaf of reneging on a release agreement last month, and group leader Abu Sabaya responded by offered "last deal" talks. The Philippines then ruled out anything but unconditional surrender and release of the hostages.

"We are accepting the challenge of the Philippine government," Sabaya told Radio Mindanao Network in a what appeared to be a satellite telephone call Wednesday. "Today, it's one year now; the door is closed for negotiations. It's up to them if they want to look for the dead bodies."

Asked if that meant the Burnhams will be killed, Sabaya said: "That depends. For example, if we see that the fight is getting one-sided, maybe we will just say goodbye to these two."

Sabaya made a similar statement shortly before he beheaded another American, Guillermo Sobero, last July in what he called a birthday present to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Martin and Gracia Burnham of Wichita, Kansas, and Filipino nurse Ediborah Yap are the last hostages left from an Abu Sayyaf kidnapping spree that started last May 27.

There have been only fleeting glimpses of the hostages over the months and indications that they may be chained to their captors as human shields as they are dragged through Basilan island's thick jungle.

Sabaya's usual taunting style was certain to hit a nerve for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who has vowed several times to "crush" the Abu Sayyaf and suffered through criticism and protests over her decision to bring in U.S. troops -- a sensitive issue in a former American colony that ended the leases for U.S. bases here a decade ago -- only to see the pursuit drag on and on.

The military's reputation has been hit hard, with the pursuit underscoring all of its shortcomings. The Abu Sayyaf snatched a group of 21 people from a tourist resort and escaped in speedboats that outran the Philipine navy's vessels. Days later, the army surrounded a hospital that the rebels raided, only to let them slip away. Allegations of payoffs followed.

Sabaya said the U.S. and Philippine governments have spent millions trying to end the hostages crisis, while the Abu Sayyaf's demands are probably "less than what a wing of a C-17 costs."

"We prefer to prolong the hostage crisis and to give more embarassment to the superpower and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines)," Sabaya said. "They cannot do anything to us.

"Look what happened to al-Qaida," he said, apparently referring to the group's continued survival despite the U.S. attacks in Afghanistan.

Paul Burnham has refused to comment on rumors that some ransom already had been paid and that the Abu Sayyaf had then raised its demand.

"We are just hoping that something will work out so that they can get out as soon as possible," he said

Sabaya earlier denied U.S. reports that his group already has received dlrs 300,000 in exchange for the hostages.

The United States has sent about 1,000 soldiers, including 160 from the Special Forces, for a six-month mission to train Filipino troops to better fight the Abu Sayyaf and undertake supporting civil projects.