Former U.S. hostage testifies in RP

Former U.S. hostage testifies in RP

PHILIPPINES: An American missionary kidnapped and held for more
than a year by Moro militants in the Philippines testified
against her suspected former captors on Thursday in an emotional
return to the country.

Gracia Burnham, whose husband Martin died in a rescue attempt
by troops in June 2002, identified 6 out of 8 suspected members
of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group as having taken part in
the kidnapping of 3 Americans and 17 Filipinos from a beach
resort in 2001.

Separated from the suspects by a thin wall in a court at a
Manila police base, Burnham was composed but came close to tears
as she recounted the death of her husband, lawyers said. The
other American, Guillermo Sobero, was among several hostages
beheaded by the militants.

"Gracia gave a very smooth narration of her ordeal. It was the
strongest corroborative evidence," state prosecutor Aristotle
Reyes, told reporters, who were barred from the court.

"We have a very strong case." -- Reuters