By Julie S. Alipala Inquirer Mindanao
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Kidnapped Australian Warren Richard Rodwell had been briefed about possible security risks as soon as he arrived in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, and had been offered police protection but he allegedly turned it down.
Alberto Alcoriza, acting mayor of Ipil, told the Inquirer that Rodwell, a retired member of the Australian Army, had told the authorities he could protect himself well.
“He told us then that he’ll fight back in case he’ll encounter security problems,” Alcoriza said by phone.
He said Rodwell had told the authorities during a security briefing, which was also attended by several other foreigners in June, that “he can manage and that he has a firearm.”
Alcoriza said in the wake of the Rodwell kidnapping, local officials planned to call another peace-and-order council meeting “to discuss the presence of other foreigners here, including Indian and Chinese nationals, and if there’s a need to ask them to leave for a while or transfer to a safer barangay.”
Senior Supt. Ruben Cariaga, Zamboanga Sibugay police chief, said Rodwell did not have a chance to use his 9-millimeter pistol.
The police recovered the gun tucked under a pillow inside the victim’s house.
Cariaga said they have considered many angles in the Rodwell kidnapping, including the involvement of the Abu Sayyaf.
He said the Australian’s wife was taken off a list of the possible suspects because she was open about the status of her relationship with Rodwell from the start.
Miraflor, Rodwell’s wife, had told police they had not been living together since a November 25 fight.
“She is a battered wife so she decided to distance herself from her husband,” Alcoriza said, adding that Rodwell’s treatment of his wife had nothing to do with the kidnapping.
The authorities would not release new information on the progress of the search-and-rescue operation for Rodwell.
Chief Supt. Felicisimo Khu, head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao, said “a news blackout was declared by (Camp) Crame,” national headquarters of the Philippine National Police.
“Kindly re-direct your queries to the Chief PIO in Crame for any update of the Rodwell kidnapping case,” Khu said.
A police official said Australiam Embassy officials had requested Philippine authorities not to release information on the progress of the search-and-rescue operation.
Kidnapped Aussie turned down security, ignored warnings, says mayor
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