Reporter kidnapped, says Jordan embassy

MANILA, Philippines - Missing Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani has been kidnapped in Sulu, according to the Foreign Ministry of Jordan as reported in the Jordan Times.

“Efforts exerted via the Jordanian embassy in Tokyo and our consul in Manila have confirmed that Atyani was kidnapped,” Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Sabah Rafei said. “We are following up on the case in order to secure his safe release.”

The Honorary Consulate of Jordan in Manila had asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to confirm the abduction of Atyani, Dubai-based Al Arabiya news network Southeast Asia bureau chief.

“The DFA is in touch with the Honorary Consul of Jordan in Manila on the issue of Mr. Atyani,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

At Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte rejected yesterday a statement from the Jordanian Foreign Ministry that Atyani is in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.

“As far as we are concerned, we have the information that he is still there, that he voluntarily went there, there seems to be no indication to the contrary,” she said. “There has been no ransom that has been reported or that has come to light. From where we stand the situation remains the same. From what we understand, the (DFA) has been in communication with the Jordanian embassy.” 

In Sulu, national security officials are still grappling for proof on the status of Atyani despite a statement from the Jordanian government that he has been kidnapped.

Security sources said the group of Commander Tahil Sahil is now “in full control” of Atyani and his two Filipino cameramen, Rolando Letrico and Ramelito Vela, in the Patikul-Talipao area.

“They are victims of kidnapping,” said one of the sources.

Police and Marines have sealed off possible exit routes of the suspected kidnappers of the Jordanian journalist and his Filipino crew, officials said. However, police said they have no confirmed information that the three have indeed been kidnapped.

Sulu police commander Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra said it seemed the three are being moved as a ploy to make it appear they have been kidnapped.

However, Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, Naval Forces Western Mindanao deputy commander for Marine Operations, said yesterday Atyani and his two Filipino cameramen have been monitored to be moving freely around the Abu Sayyaf lair.

“They are going around Sulu interviewing ASG commanders,” he said. “We have evidence that they were not kidnapped.”

Meanwhile, police are still awaiting developments on the case of the missing Jordanian journalist and his two Filipino cameramen, who were last seen in Sulu on June 12.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome Jr. said police are still trying to locate Atyani, Letrico and Vela.

“We are still looking and trying to wait for any development,” he said. Bartolome said the PNP will abide by any directive from policymakers to ban Atyani’s return to the country.

“That is not for me to decide,” he said. “We just need to protect members of the media. I know that as a media person he must be responsible. They have their own responsibilities.”  – With Jaime Laude, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Roel Pareño, Aurea Calica