Washington urges Manila to rescue American hostages quickly

The United States has maintained that it will not meddle in the kidnapping crisis involving two of its nationals in the Philippines, but urged Manila to quickly rescue the missionary couple being held by militants in southern Basilan island.

The U.S. made this statement as it announced the arrival next month of 22 American military advisers to help local armed forces eliminate the threat of the extremist Abu Sayyaf.

American missionary couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham, were among the 20 holiday-makers kidnapped May 27 by the Abu Sayyaf from the Dos Palmas resort in the western Philippine province of Palawan.

"The entire hostage crisis is the complete responsibility of the Philippine government. It should do the best they can to rescue them and bring this case to a close," U.S. Charge d'Affairs, Robert Fitts, said on Philippine television on Tuesday night.