retired australian soldier held captive , page-30

On paper...even electronic...it's a good idea. But you would have to do it right. You'd need a trusted, and authentic, intermediary. Rare in the Philippines. Expect that intermediary to skim a large percentage....personally I'd expect 50%. And likely deliver nothing. Starting to get the picture? Scam central.
This guy is not going to get the press interest of, say...the Red Cross workers of a couple years ago...so expect no help from the Manila establishment - or the politicians....
The Australian embassy rightly won't touch a ransom....so really it needs someone 100% on top of their game with the right contacts in AS...might be a dozen in the whole country....and they will extract a heavy levy for their service - if you can find them. Personally - he's stuffed. I suggest he convert to Islam....pray for forgiveness....and just maybe he gets out....Then he can move to the Visayas, burn the Koran, buy an Armalite - and hunt them down.....He might have an edge....