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Abu Sayyaf discounts Australian Rodwell's ransom, threatens beheading
Dumbass. "Durr durr, let's live in the Southern Phillipines where life is cheap and foreigners are targets." A pistol vs. a kidnap gang. Nobody's going to buy him back, even at these low, low prices. A newly released proof-of-life video shows Australian Warren Rodwell, 53, looking gaunt and making a desperate plea for a ransom payment to save his life after more than four months in captivity in the southern Philippines. It should be noted that most embassies in Manila have strongly discouraged their citizens from traveling to the southern Philippines, particularly Mindanao and Sula, given the clear and present danger of ransom kidnappings by kidnap gangs and the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf. Ron Masling, 57, an apparent friend of Rodwell's, who obtained the video, says the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers have set a four-week deadline to be paid or they will behead him. It should be noted, though, that the original ransom demand of A$2 million has been reduced to A$460,000. COMMENT: In the second video, Rodwell, depicted as looking fatigued and frail, reportedly pleads for his life and appeals to Australia's prime minister and Australians to raise money for the ransom demand so he can be released. Obviously, Rodwell is unaware or is ignoring the fact that both the Australian and Philippine governments have stated policies of not making concessions to kidnappers. Masling has reportedly told the media that the Australian government has done little to help Rodwell, which is unfounded. Assuredly, the Australian Embassy in Manila has urged its citizens not to travel to the southern Philippines for several years. Hence, if Rodwell had not "blown off" that advice, he would not be the predicament he finds himself. Additionally, because of his risk of being kidnapped in Ipil, Rodwell was offered local police protection but declined it. Instead, he chose to buy a handgun to protect himself from kidnappers, only to be outgunned by kidnappers equipped with assault rifles. Worse, the Australian resisted being kidnapped, which resulted in his being wounded at the time of the kidnapping. All and all, Rodwell has made several bad choices that have tragically led to his circumstances, all because he thought he knew better than anyone else. Should be another couple of weeks before his beheading video comes out. Posted by: gromky 2012-05-07 |
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