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.