Aussie captive of Sayyaf to be released soon

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Negotiations are ongoing for the release “any time soon” of an Australian held captive by the Abu Sayyaf.

A senior government security official said Warren Richard Rodwell was expected to be released late Thursday afternoon, with a mediator sent to pick up the hostage. The release, however, did not push through.

A Huey helicopter has been placed on standby upon the request of Australian security service personnel, through the US military based here, to airlift Rodwell once he is turned over to the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

The Australian security officials reportedly asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) not to make public the release.

Rodwell was snatched by unidentified gunmen from his home in Green Meadows Subdivision in Barangay Upper Pangi in Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay on Dec. 5, 2011.

“We are hopeful that any time soon, Rodwell will be freed. This is due to new developments taking place,” Westmincom spokesman Col. Rodrigo Gregorio said.

He said they were not privy to details of the negotiations.

A source said the family of Rodwell personally approached a mediator to deal with the kidnappers as the crisis has dragged on for more than 16 months.

The source said the mediator is known to the kidnappers, as he had worked for the release of hostages in previous incidents without bloodshed.

Another security official said there were indications that the kidnappers agreed to bring down their ransom demand from $2 million to $1 million. The source, however, said Rodwell could not afford the amount.

Reports said Rodwell has been held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf in the mountains of Tipo-Tipo in Basilan.