AFP zips lips on fate of Abu Sayyaf captives

From the Daily Tribune (Dec 30): AFP zips lips on fate of Abu Sayyaf captives

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had imposed a news blackout on the developments of negotiations for the release of three kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in different areas in Mindanao nor verify the identity of an Australian captive who appeared on the Internet. AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos declined to give any comment regarding any government strategy in rescuing the kidnap victims, saying he is on official leave. “I’m on-leave and don’t have the details. Please ask the Philippine National Police that is taking the lead on this,” Burgos told The Daily Tribune via text. The longest “prisoner” of the ASG is an Australian who has been on the hands of the bandit group for 55 weeks now.

When The Tribune requested Colonel Burgos to give the cellphone number and name of the PNP official in-charge about the kidnapping issue as well as the video seen at YouTube where the victim was telling about his ordeals is real, he didn’t reply to numerous text inquiries. The alleged victim, Warren Richard Rodwell, a retired soldier, appeared in an online video last Christmas. He said he is alive. Some of the masked men beside him are presumed to be ASG members.

“My name is Warren Richard Rodwell from Australia. Today is Sunday, December 16, 2012. This newspaper is Saturday, December 15, 2012. I’m being held prisoner, kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim terrorist group, for over one year, actually 54 weeks, today,” Rodwell was quoted as saying.
The recording was also viewed at YouTube but it was presumed to have been recorded Dec. 16, 2012. However, at the end of the video the captive said: “I do not trust Abu Sayyaf. I do not trust the Australian government. I just don’t trust anyone. Personally, I don’t care.”

Unconfirmed reports said Rodwel was seized by six heavily armed men in front of his house in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. No other reports can be obtained about the Australian captive. Aside from the Australian, two others are presumed captive of the ASG but the AFP is not confirming—an alleged Jordanian reporter of al-Jazeera and a Japanese engineer.

In Malacañang, even deputy presidential spokesman Atty. Abigail Valte is tightlipped regarding the developments in the rescue effort of the three kidnap victims. Valte said any detail regarding rescue efforts is kept within the military as disclosing it might jeopardize the operations.

The AFP last Thursday said it was verifying whether it was Rodwell who appeared in the Youtube video. Rodwell claimed he will not be released anytime soon by his captors. “The AFP is currently verifying and taking initial steps to confirm if the video posted on Youtube is really that of a certain personality as claimed. Rest assured that the AFP will take measures in support to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in its law enforcement functions to fully ascertain the identity and if possible, the whereabouts of the individual if he is (indeed the) kidnap victim,” AFP public affairs deputy chief Major Emmanuel Garcia said. Garcia added the military is asking the help of people who may know the whereabouts of any kidnapped personality or any information that might lead to the rescue of such individuals so that they may be reunited with their loved ones.“The AFP, PNP, concerned government agencies and the civilian populace must always work together mutually supporting each other in keeping the peace, maintaining order and enforcing the law for the safety and security of everyone,” Garcia stressed.

Rodwell, who was kidnapped by the ASG bandits in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on Dec. 5, 2011, said that he does not expect to be released anytime soon. “I do not expect to be released before the year 2013 at the earliest. I personally hold no hope at all for being released. I do not trust Abu Sayyaf,” the Australian said in his Youtube video. The nearly two-minute video was posted last Dec. 25.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/8607-afp-zips-lips-on-fate-of-abu-sayyaf-captives