Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

World Grieves for Slain Missionary Couple

Aired June 07, 2002 - 10:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We start this hour first up on CNN with the Philippine rescue attempt of two Americans who have been held hostage for over a year. Earlier this morning the relatives of the husband and wife missionaries spoke from their home in Kansas. They say they are numbed by this news, but they reassured by their religious faith.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DOUG BURNHAM, MARTIN BURNHAM'S BROTHER: We received word early this morning from the Philippine ambassador, and also the Philippine president called to let us know, that there was a confrontation with the military and the Philippine rebels yesterday, and in that confrontation, Martin was killed and Gracia was injured. We have word that Gracia was Medivaced to a hospital. She has undergone surgery, and she is in stable condition.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Also killed in that rescue attempt, a Filipino nurse kidnapped shortly after the Burnham's were.

Our Jakarta bureau chief, Maria Ressa, is on the phone, and she joins us from Manila -- Maria.

MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, it has really been a heart-wrenching development. Martin and Gracia Burnham are Christian missionaries who lived in the Philippines for about 15 years. In fact, the night that they were kidnapped, they were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at a beach resort in southern Philippines.

Over the past year or so, we have seen pictures of them, and we have seen the toll that it has taken on them: extreme weight loss, at one point in one of the tapes both were crying in their appeals for help. They said what held them together was their love for each other and their prayers.

Deborah Yap has a family of four children. She is the sole breadwinner of her family. The last time I spoke with her mother, her mother had said that they couldn't survive without her. Deborah's body has been taken to her family. Gracia Burnham, as you said, is in the hospital.

The head of the Philippine forces there tell CNN there are plans to move her to Manila later this evening, where it is said that her immediate family members are planning to meet her. He also said the body of her husband, Martin, is being flown back to the United States at the request of their family -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Maria Ressa, with the latest from Manila.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com