Click this link http://www.abc.net.au/sundayprofile/stories/4068081.htm for ABC National Radio - SUNDAY PROFILE interview of Warren Rodwell, hostage survivor. Download as MP3.
In 2011 Warren Rodwell was taken hostage in the Southern Philippines by the militant separatist group Abu Sayyaf and held captive for 472 days. The former soldier and English teacher has now recovered and is ready to shed more light on his ordeal. Warren Rodwell was living on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, when he was abducted by the militant Islamic group Abu Sayeff.
His captors were a group of young gunmen dressed as police, who initially nearly killed him through incompetence. Rodwell was shot through the finger and nearly drowned at sea."The motors caught on fire and that's when I could see the errors being made." says Rodwell. It wasn't until sometime later during the capture that Warren realised the men were Abu Sayeff followers.
For the next 15 months, Warren Rodwell was moved from camp to camp in the mountain jungles and mangrove swamps. He struggled each day to stay in control of his mind. "I've always had a passion for number, I'd add up numbers, trying to solve mathematical problems. He also reviewed his life and the lives of all the people he'd known. "I thought to myself that I wanted to at least outlive my mother."
Hunger was constant and by the end of his 15 months as a hostage, Rodwell had lost around 30 kilos. His captors suffered from the same lack of food and sickness. "I'd observe their behaviours and because I'd see a change in guards I'd also see some of them getting sick, others going crazy. That was always refreshing, when you see that those who are supposed to be in the more powerful situation are suffering more than you are." says Rodwell
Eventually a ransom, or "board and lodging" was paid to the hostage takers, although it was a tiny fraction of the original demand for two million U.S. dollars. Warren Rodwell's release was both overwhelming and ordinary. He was dropped off at a wharf in the port city of Pagadian, and could hardly walk as he told an incredulous port guard that he'd been kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf.
Since his release, Warren Rodwell has been recovering in Brisbane. He's been collaborating with researcher, Dr Bob East in a book, 472 Days Captive of the Abu Sayyaf: The Survival of Australian Warren Rodwell to be published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing UK
In 2011 Warren Rodwell was taken hostage in the Southern Philippines by the militant separatist group Abu Sayyaf and held captive for 472 days. The former soldier and English teacher has now recovered and is ready to shed more light on his ordeal. Warren Rodwell was living on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, when he was abducted by the militant Islamic group Abu Sayeff.
His captors were a group of young gunmen dressed as police, who initially nearly killed him through incompetence. Rodwell was shot through the finger and nearly drowned at sea."The motors caught on fire and that's when I could see the errors being made." says Rodwell. It wasn't until sometime later during the capture that Warren realised the men were Abu Sayeff followers.
For the next 15 months, Warren Rodwell was moved from camp to camp in the mountain jungles and mangrove swamps. He struggled each day to stay in control of his mind. "I've always had a passion for number, I'd add up numbers, trying to solve mathematical problems. He also reviewed his life and the lives of all the people he'd known. "I thought to myself that I wanted to at least outlive my mother."
Hunger was constant and by the end of his 15 months as a hostage, Rodwell had lost around 30 kilos. His captors suffered from the same lack of food and sickness. "I'd observe their behaviours and because I'd see a change in guards I'd also see some of them getting sick, others going crazy. That was always refreshing, when you see that those who are supposed to be in the more powerful situation are suffering more than you are." says Rodwell
Eventually a ransom, or "board and lodging" was paid to the hostage takers, although it was a tiny fraction of the original demand for two million U.S. dollars. Warren Rodwell's release was both overwhelming and ordinary. He was dropped off at a wharf in the port city of Pagadian, and could hardly walk as he told an incredulous port guard that he'd been kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf.
Since his release, Warren Rodwell has been recovering in Brisbane. He's been collaborating with researcher, Dr Bob East in a book, 472 Days Captive of the Abu Sayyaf: The Survival of Australian Warren Rodwell to be published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing UK
You don't have to think outside the box if you never let anyone build one around you. Lifestyle pictures to tantalize your travel taste buds, combined with reggae music " Omission " by Huma-Huma. http://youtu.be/4Wm4U6jvu_s