Freed hostage Warren Rodwell kidnapped after love took him to Philippine region of Mindanao

[VanessaTony 3,567]

AFTER a decade wandering the world, Warren Rodwell could never have imagined that it would be love that brought him unstuck.

The former ADF soldier and self-professed "world nomad" had travelled through Mongolia, Uruguay, Thailand, Czech Republic, Cambodia, Chile and Argentina.

He had spent years teaching English in China, Japan and Korea.

After a whirlwind romance, Mr Rodwell packed up his things and travelled to Mindanao, one of the most dangerous places in the world for westerners.

DFAT has a consistent red warning on the region, warning of a "very high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping, violent crime and violent clashes between armed groups".

Mr Rodwell, who has an ex-wife and grown children in Australia, ignored the advice and decided to marry his young bride in June, 2011.

Whether he appreciated it or not he was immediately a beacon for kidnappers. A white face in a sea of local fishermen.

Only six months into the marriage, Mr Rodwell was relaxing at his new home near the seaside town of Ipil when he was ambushed by armed terrorists dressed as police officers and taken hostage.

Like hundreds of post-2001 kidnap victims before him, his face was streamed online to an audience of millions. The intention of groups like Abu Sayyaf is to milk victims for everything they've got. Threaten more pain if it drives up the value of their living leverage.

A 15-month battle to stay alive under constant threat of beheading and firing squad had left the 54-year-old near breaking point although family members said his childhood in the NSW country town of Tamworth and subsequent time in the army meant he would not crack easily.

Mr Rodwell, who was transported to a military base before being flown to Manila to recuperate, intriguingly decided against a reunion with his Filipino wife.

Local media reported that the couple had separated in the weeks leading up to the kidnapping after a series of arguments.

Local journalists who spent time with Ms Gutang last weekend said she had been full of joy at the prospect of a reunion.

When she was turned away from the army base where Mr Rodwell was being temporarily held, she shut down her mobile phone and fled.

It appears the Australian wanderer had only one thing on his mind – getting back home.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national-news/freed-hostage-warren-rodwell-kidnapped-after-love-took-him-to-philippine-region-of-mindanao/story-fncynjr2-1226609494451#ixzz2P3IUprwN

I didn't post the entire story, just the parts I think actually tell the story.

There are many news articles about what happened. Stories about his wife and her family claiming they paid the entire ransom, claiming they paid more than they actually paid, that they had to sell their house and property, claims that it wasn't Abu Sayaf that did the kidnapping, that it was her family...

Are we going to find out that she was actually involved? Why was she involved in the negotiations yet he doesn't want to see her? Shouldn't he be thankful? I think maybe he knows she was involved. Why else would she flee?

[Darnell 8,479]

If he ever made it to Inner Mongolia, he should have stayed there - the rural culture is very similar to much of Australia.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Read more: http://www.news.com....1#ixzz2P3IUprwN

I didn't post the entire story, just the parts I think actually tell the story.

There are many news articles about what happened. Stories about his wife and her family claiming they paid the entire ransom, claiming they paid more than they actually paid, that they had to sell their house and property, claims that it wasn't Abu Sayaf that did the kidnapping, that it was her family...

Are we going to find out that she was actually involved? Why was she involved in the negotiations yet he doesn't want to see her? Shouldn't he be thankful? I think maybe he knows she was involved. Why else would she flee?

I have yet to figure out why the most southern parts of the Philippines, have so many problems compared to the rest of the Philippines

[Darnell 8,479]

It's the Muslims !! Come on, It's the Muslims !

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

It's the Muslims !! Come on, It's the Muslims !

UO OH well it's was nice having you here LOL

[Darnell 8,479]

Really ? I am serious. It's historical fact , as well.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Really ? I am serious. It's historical fact , as well.

Yes we know.. Some things on VJ just are not to be talked about...

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Yes we know.. Some things on VJ just are not to be talked about...

yeah. Like...

hotukrainianwives.com

Shoulda gone to Kreshatik street on a warm night

Really ? I am serious. It's historical fact , as well.

Bullsh*t Darnell, we fixed that in 1902.

[Darnell 8,479]

Sorry, Gary, yer wrong on this one. Recheck yer historical facts again, from yesterday to 38 years ago.

It's ok, though. Not gonna press you much, on this one.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Sorry, Gary, yer wrong on this one. Recheck yer historical facts again, from yesterday to 38 years ago.

It's ok, though. Not gonna press you much, on this one.

I was joking Darnell.

It was in 1902 that the US Army decided that their newly adopted .38 caliber revolvers had little effect on drugged up Moros. They broke out the old M1873 Colt SAAs and also had Colt chamber the large frame DA action revolver for the .45 Colt cartridge and VOILA!!!!!!! Muslim problem solved!!!!!! We continued to use big bullets until 1985. They were equally effective on incorrigible Christian fascists

FWIW Teddy Roosevelt TOLD them it was a mistake to use the .38 cartridge and himself carried a .45 revolver in Cuba.

Historically speaking the best solution for the Muslim problem in PIs has been big, heavy bullets and lots of them.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I was joking Darnell.

It was in 1902 that the US Army decided that their newly adopted .38 caliber revolvers had little effect on drugged up Moros. They broke out the old M1873 Colt SAAs and also had Colt chamber the large frame DA action revolver for the .45 Colt cartridge and VOILA!!!!!!! Muslim problem solved!!!!!! We continued to use big bullets until 1985. They were equally effective on incorrigible Christian fascists

FWIW Teddy Roosevelt TOLD them it was a mistake to use the .38 cartridge and himself carried a .45 revolver in Cuba.

Historically speaking the best solution for the Muslim problem in PIs has been big, heavy bullets and lots of them.

Gary headed to time out box

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Gary headed to time out box

[PearlAngel 2]

THE Filipino wife of freed Australian hostage Warren Rodwell says she was not involved in her husband's kidnapping. Miraflor Gutang, who married the former Australian soldier in her hometown of Ipil in June 2011,has broken her silence to clear her name.

"All the investigation is clear because I'm so innocent. I'm not guilty, never. I could not do that to anyone,'' she told news.com.au. "I'm the one to help how to get (Rodwell freed) from the kidnappers. I'm the one to (negotiate) how to make the ransom lower.

"I'm the one to suffer when he's still in kidnap.''

In her first interview since Mr Rodwell's release, the 28-year-old recounted her own ordeal with the kidnappers.

"The kidnappers ring to me. They always angry and say `blood blood'. The kidnappers said a lot about the negotiation. They cannot finish talking about money. They said $US20 million. They said `I want to kill someone of your family'. Of course I'm very scared,'' she said.

"I said `I need a proof of life he's still alive'. I wanted to know from the kidnappers if my husband is still with them, if he's still alive, so I could believe.''

Ms Gutang said she spoke to her husband three times throughout his captivity."We talk by phone call and very short. We cannot talk longer." "He said he's still alive and (feels) hopeless, there's no one to help him. I'm the one to talk to him about that. He's a very brave person. I'm the one to cry (when we spoke). "After that (the kidnappers said) `Warren very sick' and they want to release him.''

The mystery surrounding the adventurer's abduction then deepened when he refused to see his wife.

"When I go there (to the hospital) I want to see him, I want to taking care of him, I want him to meet me but the guards said Warren don't want to see me in person,'' she said.

At the time of his kidnapping, Mr Rodwell was building the couple's new seaside home in Ipil on the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Mr Rodwell said he had separated from Ms Gutang, who was living with her parents, two weeks earlier.

But Ms Gutang, who has an eight-year-old son from a previous relationship, disputes this.

"Maybe he blamed me for what happened to him because we were living here in the Philippines because last time he wanted to bring me to Australia I don't like because I don't want to be far from my family,'' she said.

"I don't know why he don't want to see me. Maybe because sometimes we'd argue before his kidnap.''

In March, Basilan Vice-Governor Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul told News Limited that Ms Gutang had played a key role in orchestrating her husband's release.

"I was very happy when he was released that he was still alive, of course. I wanted to hug him when he was released,'' she said.

"Warren is very selfish. I don't know why he's angry with me. I miss him but what to do?''

Mr Rodwell called his estranged wife last weekend to tell her he had filed for a divorce.

"I'm so surprised because when he called me he was already in Australia and after that (he said) maybe we're not lucky in married life.

"It's very terrible so he told me he wanted to make it a divorce so I agreed because I have no choice,'' she said.

"He said after I sign the divorce paper he has no more commitment. He said the property he give it to me. He said he didn't have money to give me. He said `that's it, no more talk'.

"I'm so sad because I wanted to stay with him. Of course I love him still in my heart but our behaviour is not compatible.''

Ms Gutang, the second eldest of eight children, said she was now seeking work to support her family.

"Warren wants to divorce me so I want to continue on my own making a future for my son and I have to think of my mum. Nobody help them only me,'' she said.

"I was only studying for six months. I never continued because of what happened to Warren. Now I have a plan to find a job.''

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/filipino-wife-of-freed-australian-hostage-warren-rodwell-says-she-was-not-involved-in-her-husbands-kidnapping/story-fni0fiyv-1226664313561

[deleted-05292014 331]

I have yet to figure out why the most southern parts of the Philippines, have so many problems compared to the rest of the Philippines

Because of it's close proximity to Malaysia and Indonesia, they also want to be independent.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Because of it's close proximity to Malaysia and Indonesia, they also want to be independent.

Nice comment, as least it's better than what's been floating around here.