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Kidnapped US Missionary's Sister Pleads for Release VOA News 28 Jan 2002 10:33 UTC 
The sister of a U.S. missionary being held, along with her husband, by Muslim kidnappers in the southern Philippines has pleaded for the couple's release, saying the family does not have the money to pay ransom.
In a radio broadcast in the southern city of Zamboanga Monday, Mary Jones pleaded for the release of Gracia and Martin Burnham, who were kidnapped from a beach resort last May 27.
She urged the Abu Sayyaf kidnap gang to work with the Philippine government and with the Burnham's missionary group, the New Tribes Mission, to arrange for their release.
The Abu Sayyaf has been linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network. American troops are in the southern Philippines, training and equipping government forces to neutralize the rebels and rescue the hostages.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.
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