Manila - One of three American hostages held by Abu Sayyaf Muslim guerrillas has been wounded in a gunbattle between the rebels and the military in the Philippines, a rebel spokesperson said on Wednesday.
"He was wounded in the back. He has many wounds in the back," Abu Sayyaf spokesperson Abu Sabaya said, referring to Martin Burnham who is being held captive together with his wife Gracia Burnham.
The third American hostage is Californian Guillermo Sobrero.
They are among as many as 59 hostages being held by the Abu Sayyaf in southern Basilan island.
Abu Sabaya said over Radio Mindanao Network that Burnham was wounded two days ago by an exploding rifle grenade during fighting in the forested areas of Tuburan town.
He said the Abu Sayyaf would negotiate with the government for the release of the hostages only if the military pulled out of Basilan island.
"Remove the military first" before any negotiations, he said by satellite phone from an undisclosed location.
Abu Sabaya also admitted that the Abu Sayyaf had slain two hostages.
"They thought we are going to cut off their heads so they fought back, so we had to (kill) them," he said.
Abu Sabaya said several nurses who were taken hostages from a hospital the guerrillas occupied over the weekend were taking care of wounded captives and rebels. - Sapa-AFP