Freed hostage's missing wife had key role

The family of freed Australian hostage Warren Rodwell have thanked Philippine and Australian authorities.

Julia Gillard says Australians will be pleased that hostage Warren Rodwell has been released.

Miraflor Gutang wife of Warren Rodwell. Photo: Supplied Source: Supplied

Warren Rodwell on Facebook. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

Warren Rodwell before he was held hostage. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

Warren Rodwell before he was held hostage. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

THE MYSTERY surrounding the split between freed hostage Warren Rodwell and his wife deepened yesterday as the politician who orchestrated his release revealed the missing-in-action partner played a key role.

Basilan Vice-Governor Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul told News Limited that Miraflor Gutang and her family approached him three weeks ago to negotiate with the Islamic terrorists.

Mr Sakkalahul confirmed that Ms Gutang and her cousin Roger had facilitated the payment that led Mr Rodwell's release.

However, it has since been revealed that Mr Rodwell - who was held captive for 15 months - is reportedly refusing to see her. News Limited can expose that Ms Gutang was used as part of a strategy to minimise the ransom payment and deflect attention away from the Australian family who had also raised cash.

By using Ms Gutang as the "local wife", it helped ensure that the kidnappers wouldn't increase their ransom demands at the last moment.

"As far as I knew the money was raised by Miraflor. They sold their properties. That is what she and Roger her cousin told me," Mr Sakkalahul said.

"She rang me about three weeks before the release and came to see me personally.

"They already had direct contact with kidnappers but they didn't trust just anybody to bring the money."

Mr Sakkalahul said he did not know why Mr Rodwell and Ms Gutang had not been reunited since the release of the former Australian soldier.

Australian national Warren Rodwell is greeted by Philippine National Police officials and Basilan Vice-Governor Al Rashid Sakalahul before he delivers a short statement to the media at Manila International Airport on March 25, 2013 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Veejay Villafranca/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

It is understood the couple had a falling out before Mr Rodwell was kidnapped.

As Ms Gutang continued to avoid media yesterday, Mr Rodwell continued his recovery at an undisclosed location in Manila and declined to make any comment.

Fresh images of Mr Rodwell from his Facebook page have revealed the physical impact 15-months in captivity has had on the Tamworth-raised adventurer.

The photos reveal a stark contrast to Mr Rodwell's current physical condition, which has seen the 54-year-old lose up to half of his body weight.

Australian national Warren Rodwell delivers a short statement to the media at Manila International Airport on March 25, 2013 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Veejay Villafranca/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Mr Rodwell is expected to return home to Australia next month after he recovers his physical condition and undergoes questioning by Filipino anti-kidnapping police.

The Rodwell family is believed to be considering signing a deal with an Australian media outlet to tell the story.

Filipino government officials maintain that they are looking at all potential suspects involved in Mr Rodwell's kidnapping.

Mr Sakkalahul said he believed that rogue Islamic group Abu Sayyaf was behind Mr Rodwell's kidnapping from his Mindanao home.

Filipino Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who also confirmed that Ms Gutang had been central in the release of her husband, said the government was concerned that paying ransom money could trigger a fresh wave of abductions in the trouble prone region.

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