Deal on US hostages in Philippines collapses

The family of a US missionary couple held hostage by Muslim gunmen in the Philippines accused the rebels today of reneging on…

The family of a US missionary couple held hostage by Muslim gunmen in the Philippines accused the rebels today of reneging on a deal to free their captives.

A US official said this month $300,000 in ransom was paid to the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas.

Missionaries Mr Martin and Mrs Gracia Burnham and Philippine nurse Ms Deborah Yap have been held hostage since last May on the island of Basilan in the southern Philippines.

US forces are on Basilan island training Philippine soldiers in counter-terrorism to help defeat the Abu Sayyaf group.