Kidnapped Aussie back in Basilan - reports

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – An Australian man kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits has been brought back to Basilan by his captors, according to police intelligence reports.

“We are verifying such intelligence reports,” Senior Superintendent Alex Linesis, Basilan police provincial director said yesterday.

Linesis said police and military forces have been combing the jungles and the suspected lairs of the Abu Sayyaf to look for the kidnap victim.

Police and military authorities earlier said the Abu Sayyaf group led by Razmier Alih brought Warren Richard Rodwell from Basilan to Patikul town, Sulu last Jan. 7. Alih’s group reportedly wanted to turn over Rodwell to the Abu Sayyaf faction led by Radullan Sahiron.

However, Sahiron’s group reportedly turned down the offer amid military offensives in the area.

Rodwell, 56, a former Australian soldier who is married to a Filipino, Miraflor Gutang, was seized at his house in Green Meadows Subdivision in Upper Pangi, Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay province last Dec. 5. He was initially brought to Basilan.

 A video footage sent by the kidnappers to Rodwell’s wife last Dec. 22 showed the victim pleading for his life and appealing to his family to produce the $2-million ransom demanded by his captors.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo is scheduled to visit Basilan next week to assess government efforts to secure Rodwell’s release.