Between hostage and captor, an unlikely bond

Kansas missionary Gracia Burnham could escape into the night anytime.

Her Philippines kidnappers leave her unshackled in a hammock, while her husband is chained to a tree. But instead, she chooses to stay with her husband, Martin.

Mrs. Burnham has won the hearts of some of the Abu Sayyaf teenagers guarding her by teaching them the ABCs and the English words for tree, bark, and leaves.

In fact, the portrait that emerges of the American couple now held for more than eight months by the Muslim rebel group Abu Sayyaf is one that reflects the bond that often develops between hostages and their captors. But it is likely to be tested in the coming days.

Hunted by American special forces reportedly joining Philippine scout rangers on the ground in Basilan island, the Abu Sayyaf might be on their last legs, say Philippine Army sources here.

On Tuesday, a local TV station reported that the group is now demanding a $2 million ransom for the couple. But the Philippine government says it won't negotiate with the rebels. Some 260 US soldiers have landed in the region to participate in six months of training and maneuvers.

The fact that Ms. Burnham is unwilling to leave was underscored by a note to relatives that said, according to Reuters: "[Abu Sayyaf's] losses have been great, and they will never just give us up. They are willing to take a ransom, and they need to arm themselves for the fight [for an independent Muslim homeland]."

The three-page letter was dated Jan. 26 and was brought to Zamboanga by an intermediary to be handed over to the Burnham's family.

"They [the Burnhams] are really sweet, very romantic," says Reina Malonzo, a Filipina nurse from her home in Lamitan on Basilan island. Ms. Malonzo spent four months in captivity with the Burnhams before her release in November. "I never saw Martin cry. He just comforts Gracia. When we were fleeing the hospital in Lamitan, and thought we might die, she said to him 'I love you.' She would never leave him."

But she may have been taken from him. A Philippine Army intelligence officer says soldiers attacking the Abu Sayyaf near Tuburan on Basilan island last week saw two women - possibly Mrs. Burnham and Filipina nurse Deborah Yap - riding a horse.Basilan governor Wahab Akbar told reporters that villagers believed they saw Martin Burnham walking with Abu Sayyaf on Jan. 19.

The TV station obtained copies of the ransom letter written by Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya, which he was sending to relatives in Basilan.

Brig. Gen. Glicerio Sua, chief of a Basilan task force, said he recognized Mr. Sabaya's writing on a letter.

The Philippine government denies negotiating for ransom money and demands unconditional surrender. If ransom negotiations are indeed under way, Luis Biel, the mayor of Basilan's main city, Isabela, warns of Abu Sayyaf's trickery.

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