ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, March 25 (UPI) -- An Australian kidnapped nearly 16 months ago was mistaken for a tourist when he waded on shore in the southern Philippines during the weekend, officials said.
Warren Richard Rodwell, 54, was released by al-Qaida-linked militants after his family paid $93,000 in ransom, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported Monday.
"Are you a tourist," Rodwell was reportedly asked by maritime police after he emerged mud-spattered from the sea at the port city of Pagadian about 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
"No, I'm not a tourist, I'm a kidnap victim," he is said to have replied, "Please help me."
Members of Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf kidnapped Rodwell from his home in Mindanao in December 2011. They had originally demanded $2 million in ransom.
Australian authorities had refused to help with the ransom, saying they didn't want to encourage future kidnappings.
Rodwell's Filipino wife, Miraflor, paid the ransom with the assistance of local vice governor Al Rasheed Sakkalahol.
Rodwell, who police said was very thin when found, has been receiving medical treatment.
