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Southeast Asia

Abu Sayyaf frees Australian hostage

2013-03-23

Islamic ~~terrorists~~ militants in the Philippines have released Australian citizen Warren Rodwell, 15 months after kidnapping him from his house in the south of the country.

Regional military commander Lieutenant General Rainier Cruz said, "Warren Rodwell has been released in Pagadian city. It is confirmed and he is now (in) the custody of the police in Pagadian city."

A photo and video taken by a reporter at the police station early Saturday showed a gaunt but smiling Warren Rodwell sitting alongside two policemen. In the video, Rodwell takes off his T-shirt and stands up to show off his body, smiling as he points to his ribs and says: "lose weight".

The kidnappers, from the Abu Sayyaf ~~terrorist~~ militant group, had previously released a series of video clips of Rodwell to prove he was still in their custody. In one of the videos, Rodwell said his captors wanted $2 million in ransom. It was unclear Saturday if any ransom money was paid for his release.

Al Rashid Sakalahul, the vice governor of Basilan island who negotiated with the Abu Sayyaf for Rodwell's release, said the ~~terrorists~~ militants called him up to confirm the hostage was freed in Pagadian. He said, "Thank God that our problem has been solved. I did what I had to do. I've done my part, my duty and my responsibility as an elected official in Basilan."

Sakalahul would not say if ransom money was paid, insisting he merely served as an intermediary. He said, "Rodwell's family directly negotiated with the kidnappers and I do not know if they paid ransom... my role was to get Rodwell out safely."

Posted by:ryuge

#1 now there's a miracle. didn't think he would make it.

Posted by: Raider 2013-03-23 23:02

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