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Australia issues travel warning for Philippines after abduction
The Australian Government has issued a travel warning for parts of the Philippines as the search for a Sydney man who was taken at gunpoint from a seaside town continued yesterday.Warren Rodwell was kidnapped from his home late Monday in the town of Ipil on Mindanao and authorities do not appear to be close to tracking down his abductors. Police said the 53-year-old was shot in the foot during the incident as he wrestled with up to six gunmen. The Mindanao Examiner reported that police recovered an empty bullet casing and found blood outside the property. Army Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said, "Rodwell was shot in the foot while trying to fight off the kidnappers, who are members of a local gang, but with links to the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan province." Cabangbang said security forces have launched a large-scale search for Rodwell. Ipil acting Mayor Alberto Alcoriza told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Rodwell had been warned about conditions in the region and offered security protection, but told authorities he could protect himself. Alcoriza said, "He told us then that he'd fight back in case he encountered security problems." Mr Rodwell is the 10th foreigner to be kidnapped in the southern Philippines this year. Posted by: ryuge 2011-12-09 |
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