MANILA, April 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Philippine President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo scolded on Monday the family of American hostage
Martin and Gracia Burnham for negotiating with  Abu Sayyaf Group,
the kidnapper, on ransom for the release of the couple.
   Arroyo made the remarks on the frustration raised recently by
Paul Burnham, elder brother of Martin Burnham over the kidnapper's
alleged failure to keep its promise after receiving 300,000 U.S.
dollars in ransom.
   Arroyo said that the presidential palace did not give its
blessing on the negotiations of the Burnhams with the notorious
terrorist group, the Philippine Star on-line news reported. Arroyo
added that the negotiation took place despite the government's no-
ransom policy on hostage-taking incidents.
   "I'm sorry that their son is still being kept hostage... but I
feel like telling them that no one forced them to negotiate in the
first place," President Arroyo said, adding that the Burnhams know
that the Abu Sayyaf cannot keep their word.
   The family of Burnham confirmed late last week that negotiation
has been conducted with the Abu Sayyaf and reached an "agreement"
in exchange for the release of the hostage couple.
   However, a separate report here said the Abu Sayyaf bandits
have already denied the reception of the said amount of money in
ransom, and thus refused to release their hostages. The group said
earlier that it still remains open to further negotiation with the
government over the release of the American hostages.
   The Burnhams, originally from Kansas State of the U.S., were
kidnapped in a western Philippine resort along with 17 others and
brought to the southern island of Basilan. Some of the victims
were freed and rescued while others were beheaded. 
   The U.S. Embassy in Manila warned Americans about the danger of
going to the southern Philippines following their abduction. This
event accounted partially for the move the shift part of the
Philippine-U.S. annual military exercises to the southern
Philippine island of Basilan where the kidnappers are hidden with
the couple.   Enditem