Philippines dismayed at Rodwell ransom payment Released hostage Warren Rodwell is greeted by Philippine National Police officials and Basilan Vice-Governor Al Rashid Sakalahul on Monday. MANILA: Philippine Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has warned that submitting to the demands of Islamic kidnap-for-ransom groups in the southern Philippines will lead to more kidnappings. "The government cannot do anything if someone decides to pay to secure the freedom of her spouse," Mr Gazmin said, referring to Miraflor Gutang, the Filipino wife of Australian adventurer Warren Rodwell, who was released last Saturday after being held hostage for almost 15 months. Ms Gutang, who was separated from Mr Rodwell before he was kidnapped in 2011, has told journalists her family sold their house and other property to pay a $93,600 ransom to the ruthless al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group. But sources say that since Ms Gutang made the claim it has emerged that some of the money came through Mr Rodwell's Australian family. Australian authorities, which insisted the media not cover developments during the 15 months of Mr Rodwell's ordeal, have provided no information about the source of the ransom. It is widely believed in the Philippines that Ms Gutang raised the money. Mr Rodwell has not seen Ms Gutang since his release and is recuperating at an undisclosed location in Manila although she has told journalists she was eager to see him. Weeks before five gunmen posing as policemen kidnapped Mr Rodwell from his house in the seaside town of Ipil on Mindanao island, Ms Gutang had made two complaints of abuse against the former Australian army officer. However, she played a key role in obtaining Mr Rodwell's release. Her cousin Roger Gutang delivered the money in a black plastic bag to Al Rasheed Sakalahul, a respected local politician, who handed it to the Abu Sayyaf leader Pujuri Indama. Mr Gazmin said Philippine security forces "need to study carefully and come up with a plan" to try to release six other hostages being held by the Abu Sayyaf, including two Europeans and a Jordanian journalist. Philippine authorities have dismissed reports in Australian Abu Sayyaf was not responsible for Mr Rodwell's kidnapping. Mr Rodwell has been offered money by Australian media organisations to tell his story, which includes how his captors fired shots during several escape attempts. Officials say he is not rushing into any decisions about his life. Mr Rodwell is expected to recuperate at an undisclosed location in Manila for at least a week before intensive debriefings about his captors by Philippine security agencies who will then file charges against them.