Roel Pareño of The Philippine Star reports that "Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul confirmed yesterday that the family of kidnapped Australian Warren Richard Rodwell paid ₱4 million in ransom for his release." The report noted: "Sakalahul [also] denied allegations that the negotiating team, of which he was part, pocketed P3 million of the original P7-million ransom that the Abu Sayyaf demanded. He said they were able to persuade the kidnappers to reduce the ransom to ₱4 million."
The report added that Rodwell, 54, was kidnapped from the town of Ipil on December 5, 2011. According to the report, after being released from his 15-month ordeal, "Rodwell had to paddle a boat to a distant town and wade ashore through the mud to reach safety."
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