Australian captive held by ASG still alive

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - -  A senior police official confirmed that a former Australian soldier, believed to be abducted for ransom by Abu Sayyaf militants, is still alive and efforts are still underway to secure the victim's freedom.

Former Western Mindanao police director now chief of the Philippine National Police Directorate for Planning Chief Superintendent Napoleon Estilles disclosed there was new proof of life released by the kidnappers that Warren Richard Rodwell “is indeed alive but remained captive.”

Estilles, before relinquishing his post as the regional police director, said the proof of life was contained in a fresh video footage, but offered no details as the case is being handled by the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG).

He said details about the operations are kept confidential to avoid the risk of putting in jeopardy the victim's safety.

“Rodwell is alive and designated teams are trying to negotiate or rescue the victim safely,” Estilles added.

Rodwell, 57, who has been in captivity for 1 year and 22 days now, was seized  from the victim' house in Green Meadow Subdivision in Barangay Upper Pangi, Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay Dec. 5 last year. The gunmen who took him disguised as narcotic agents.

However, the fresh video of Rodwell posted on Youtube by the SITE monitoring group Wednesday confirmed the victim is still alive but he appeared to have lost weight and  sickly.

Rodwell, in  the two-minute clip  that he said was taken on Dec. 16,  also spoke of uncertainty about his freedom and losing hope that his government  would help.

The victim said he is being held by the Abu Sayyaf group and that the video was taken “to save my life.”

He said he has no idea what has been going on as he has been in isolation for a long time now.

“Again I’m alive and in prison for 378 days I think,” Rodwell said.

He said he believed something is going on but admitted he doed not understand the dialects being spoken by the people around him.

“I understand something is happening, but I don’t know when. I do not expect to be released before the year 2013 at the earliest… no hope at all for being released. I do not trust the Abu Sayyaf. I do not trust the Australian government. I just don’t trust anyone, any person, I don’t care,” Rodwell said.

Security officials disclosed that the kidnappers  are seeking 25,000  in US dollars  as ransom for Rodwell's release.