The sister of Gracia Burnham, the American woman being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf for the last eight months along with Burnham's husband, Martin, and Filipina nurse, Dorothy Yap, appealed yesterday to the rebels to free the hostages.

"We have no money for ransom," May Jones said on Radio Mindanao Network in the southern city of Zamboanga.

"I would like to make a personal appeal (to Abu Sayyaf leaders) to please not harm Martin and Gracia, and to work with the Philippine government and the New Tribes Mission to resolve this situation," Jones said in a statement read over Radio Mindanao Network (RMN).

"Please do not harm them. They are not a threat. Harming them will not solve anything and will only deprive their three children and their relatives of a good couple," entreated Jones, an educator from Ohio who arrived in Zamboanga City yesterday morning.

"We cannot imagine something like this could happen to them," said Jones. "We saw their pictures. They are very emaciated and weak. We are afraid of what might happen to them."

Jones also asked government officials to start negotiating for the release of the hostages, saying that this should be done even if the U.S. and Philippine troops are assisting each other in Basilan.

In an apparent appeal to President Gloria Arroyo, Jones asked the government to "resolve the situation and secure the hostages".

Jones gave the number of an appointed negotiator who is based in Manila, and said that the number can be used by the Abu Sayyaf group if it wants to contact the U.S. embassy and the New Tribes Mission to which the Burnhams belong. The New Tribes Mission helps minorities based in far-flung areas.

When asked if the Burnham family is willing to pay ransom money, Jones said the Burnhams "have no money for ransom, if this is what the Abu Sayyaf wants, because they live very simple lives".

"They are simple missionaries trying to help the Filipino people...they are kind and generous and have not hurt anybody," Jones added.

She noted that Abu Sayyaf spokesperson, Abu Sabaya, and the group's leader, Khadafy Janjalani, must have heard the appeal.

The Philippine and U.S. governments earlier ruled out ransom payment as a policy, to discourage terror groups.