Warren Rodwell has been freed after 15 months as a hostage of a Philippine-based Islamic Terrorist group. He was treated at a hospital after being released in Pagadian City in Mindanao.
The 54-year old Sydney native and ex-soldier had spent many years in Asia, until 5 December 2011. That's when Gunmen dressed a police stormed his home in the seaside town of Upil and kidnapped him after a bloody struggle. They fled in powerboats and Rodwell was moved several times to various locations in the southern Philippines.
The kidnappers are members of Abu Sayyef, a group linked to al Qaida. They demanded $2 Million, which his Filipina wife said she was unable to pay.
After his captors uploaded a video of him to youtube in December, the Vice Governor of Basilan Province Al Rashid Sakalahul helped in the negotiations to free Rodwell.
Abu Sayyef is apparently still holding hostages: 66-year old treasure hunter Toshio Ito of Japan; 43-year old Baker Atyani, a journalist with the Al Arabiya News Channel; and two European wildlife photographers.