Security tightened as Burnham testifies today vs Abus

Security measures were tightened yesterday at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig where American missionary Gracia Burnham is scheduled to testify today against her former captors from the Abu Sayyaf group.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Ricardo de Leon ordered the heightening of the defense in and around the camp where the NCRPO is based.

Burnham, who arrived in Manila Monday night, will face her former captors when she testifies today before a special court against arrested Abu Sayyaf members allegedly responsible for the killing of her husband, Martin Burnham, during a military rescue operation that she survived in June 2002.

Burnham is expected to identify the 12 bandits detained at Camp Bagong Diwa. Five others are being held in a jail on Basilan island in Mindanao.

Ninety-three members of the Abu Sayyaf were charged in connection with the May 2001 abduction in Palawan of the Burnhams together with several Filipinos and another American, Guillermo Sobero, who was beheaded by the kidnappers.

The Burnhams were held captive for over a year. The other hostages were released or managed to escape.

According to National Bureau of Investigation Director Reynaldo Wycoco, nobody will be allowed entry into Camp Bagong Diwa without being bodily searched by personnel securing Burnham.

The proceedings, to be presided by Judge Lorifel Pahimna of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 69, will be open to the public but with limited media coverage, Chief Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño said.

A press conference with Burnham, however, is being arranged after the court testimony.

Burnham is scheduled to leave the country today, contrary to what the Department of Justice and the NBI had hoped for.

But Wycoco said they will still try to "prevail upon her to stay longer than she plans."

Burnham has been staying in a US facility but further details were withheld for security reasons.

Wycoco also said the NBI is now coordinating with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas to impose possible sanctions on a broadcaster, who is accused of agitating Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Solaiman to make his group act while Burnham is in town.

"Wala ba kayong gagawin (Aren’t you going to do anything about it)?" Wycoco quoted the broadcaster as asking Solaiman during a radio interview.

"That’s beyond the bounds of journalism," the NBI chief said.

Solaiman remains at large as he faces charges of murder, extortion and kidnapping.

Tasked by De Leon to ensure the safety and security of Mrs. Burnham were the Regional Headquarters Support Group and the base police at Camp Bagong Diwa, Regional Special Action Unit and the Traffic Enforcement Group.

The joint police security was also directed to secure the judges and prosecutors during the conduct of the hearing.

De Leon said the NCRPO units will carry out their duty with support from the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police.

Local police units will work closely with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its local counterpart, the NBI.

NBI agents will provide close-in security to Burnham, who is feared as a probable target of retaliatory attacks from the Abu Sayyaf and its allies.

Burnham returned to the country Monday night escorted by FBI agents and was whisked away by US embassy representatives and security personnel, giving no chance for the media to talk to her.

Burnham’s testimony was facilitated by a mutual legal assistance treaty between the United States and the Philippines.

After the hostage crisis ended, several key members of the Abu Sayyaf, including the commander who allegedly beheaded Sobero, have been captured as the Philippine government stepped up its campaign against terror.

US and Philippine governments also offered hefty rewards leading to the suspects’ capture.

The Burnhams, missionaries for the Florida-based New Tribes Mission, were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary when they were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf and taken to the southern island of Basilan.

Gracia recounted her ordeal in the controversial book, "In the Presence of My Enemies."

DOJ officials have expressed confidence that Burnham’s personal appearance in court will boost the government’s case against the Abu Sayyaf.

Prosecutors handling the case said Burnham could provide a lot more details than the other victims as she was the longest held hostage by the bandits.

Elements of the Regional Health Service, the Regional Engineering Office and the Bureau of Jail Management were also alerted by De Leon to perform their tasks relative to the scheduled hearing.

The NCRPO chief disclosed that last June 8, Alvie Price, assistant legal attaché of the US embassy, requested the NBI to assist arriving Honolulu FBI agents in securing and providing security for Burnham. - With Aurea Calica, Cecille Suerte Felipe