Aussie’s kin want captors brought to justice

MANILA, Philippines - Relatives of an Australian recently freed after 15 months with the Abu Sayyaf want their brother’s captors arrested and brought to justice.

Warren Richard Rodwell’s siblings Denise and Wayne arrived in Manila yesterday and thanked Philippine and Australian authorities for securing his release.

Rodwell, who was flown in from Mindanao where he recuperated for two days shortly after his release, briefly told reporters yesterday that he was overwhelmed, happy and thankful.

He arrived on a chartered flight from Zamboanga and was presented to journalists at the presidential lounge of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

Denise and Wayne Rodwell particularly acknowledged the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the safe release of their brother even as they expressed their wish for the authorities to successfully track down and jail the kidnappers.

“We hope they will be brought to justice so others won’t have to experience what Warren has just been through,” Denise told reporters.

“The Anti-Kidnapping Group of the Philippine National Police played the leading role in securing Warren’s release. We would like to acknowledge that publicly today and say thank you,” the Rodwells said in their statement.

They also thanked Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul, one of the  negotiators who managed to convince the Abu Sayyaf to reduce the amount of ransom from P7 million to P4 million.

However, the Philippine and Australian governments have refused to confirm if ransom was paid.

Rodwell’s siblings read their statement without taking questions from journalists. They did not speak about the ransom issue.

They said they were kept updated by Australian officials on all major developments on their brother’s case.

“We are sure you will understand that this has been a very difficult and exhausting ordeal for Warren. It has also been a difficult time for his family,” they said.

They appealed to journalists to give them some privacy.

“On behalf of Warren’s family, both in Australia and in the Philippines, we ask that the media respect our wish for privacy at this time.”

Wayne said the family’s most immediate concern was his brother’s health.

“He is delighted to be free. He has however lost a lot of weight and is exhausted. He will need medical support as well as time and space to recover,” he said.

Rodwell thanked the Philippine and the Australian governments for helping secure his freedom.

“There was a great sense of helplessness and hopelessness and I am certainly overwhelmed... I would very much like to say I am happy,” said Rodwell, who was so still weak that he needed assistance to walk.

Sakalahul was supposed to be on the plane that took Rodwell to Manila. But since the plane could not accommodate a huge number of passengers, the vice governor took a commercial flight as he was invited by the Australian embassy in cognizance of his efforts in the release of Rodwell, and to meet the Australian’s relatives who wanted to thank him personally.

“I’m happy that the Australian government took time to recognize my efforts,” Sakalahul said even as he expressed dismay over suspicions that he skimmed some of the ransom money.

He said he is willing to go to jail if the allegations against him are proven true.

The Basilan official said the rumor that he pocketed part of the ransom has placed his life and that of his family in danger.

“Their allegation is dangerous because the Abu Sayyaf may go after me to collect the alleged money although it is not true,” he said.

Rodwell’s Filipino wife Miraflor Gutang said there are no plans yet whether they would file charges against the kidnappers.

“As of now I cannot say. I have to hear from Warren as to who really were the suspects. It’s really hard because I also don’t know anybody from the suspects,” Gutang said, adding they are willing to cooperate with authorities in the possible filing of the case. - With Delon Porcalla, Roel Pareño, Rudy Santos, AP