Gazmin: Jordanian not kidnapped

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin doubts that Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani and his two Filipino cameramen, Ramelito Vela and Roland Letrico, were kidnapped.

“There are reports reaching the headquarters of Wesmincom (Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command) that the Jordanian and his crew are moving from one camp to the other, from Abu Sayyaf camp to the camp of MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front),” he said. “With that, you can easily deduce that they are not captives.”

Speaking to reporters, Gazmin said the military has no information whether the three were in the company of Abu Sayyaf bandits.

“That (whether Atyani and his crew are guarded by the bandits) is not part of the report,” he said. “The report just states that he is moving around. He couldn’t have transferred from the MNLF camp to the Abu Sayyaf camp if you are a captive.”

Gazmin could not tell what time Atyani and his two cameramen were seen moving from one camp to another.

“No time was given but they can transfer from one municipality to the other,” he said.

Gazmin said he does not know of any request by Jordan to search for Atyani.

“Our troops are on standby,” he said. “We are ready to move anytime, we are monitoring, we know exactly where they are, where they are moving. If we were ordered to conduct rescue operations, then we will do our part.”

Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome also believes Atyani was not kidnapped.

“Maybe he’s just doing his job somewhere in Sulu,” he said. “Just like you, if you went to a far place to interview someone.”

Speaking to the media in Camp Florendo in San Fernando, La Union, Bartolome said police are investigating the real situation of Atyani, Vela and Letrico in Sulu.

Quoting information from the ground, Bartolome said Atyani and his cameramen are in one place, not separated as reported.

Reports had claimed Atyani is in the hands of a spiritual leader of Abu Sayyaf, while another armed group holds Vela and Letrico.

In Sulu, authorities have isolated the area where Atyani, Vela and Letrico are believed to be.

Col. Jose Joriel Cenabre, Naval Forces Western Mindanao deputy chief for Marine operations, said the Sulu crisis management committee (CMC) under Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan met Tuesday with Task Force Sulu, police and Marines and the mayors of the towns of Sulu to coordinate their actions.

“The three are safe and there is no sign that they were being harmed while under Abu Sayyaf custody,” he said.

Tan was informed of the contingency and operation plans needed for their safe return, he added.

Cenabre said details of their possible actions once the military is given the go signal for rescue will not be made public.

“Now, in the course of the whole situation when action is needed, the Task Force Sulu is refrained from making statements that will imply operation movement, as it will give our operating units the difficulty to rescue because the group holding custody of the three journalists are very mobile,” he said.

They are cautious about their movement since the Abu Sayyaf has civilian sympathizers in the area, Cenabre said.

Chief Superintendent Manuel Barcena, Directorate for Integrated Police Operation Western Mindanao commander, said once the CMC gives the signal, the operation will be surgical and carefully coordinated.

“We cannot really detail the action but we are doing something,” he said.

They have to ensure that the information provided is positive “because the situation on the ground is very peculiar,” Barcena said.

The group holding Atyani and his two cameramen is reportedly also in close contact with the MNLF, as well as with a local warlord, according to sources in the security forces.

Another source said Atyani and his two cameramen are safe for now.

“They’re allowed to move freely, but their movements are only confined to a particular area,” the source said.

Atyani’s presence in Sulu scuttled the release of one of the six foreign hostages, the source added.

It was reported earlier the Abu Sayyaf has demanded P50-million ransom for the release of Swede and Dutch birdwatchers seized in Tawi-Tawi early this year. Reports said the two are now being held in the jungles of Patikul-Talipao.

The Abu Sayyaf were also reported to have in their custody a retired Australian Army soldier kidnapped late last year inside his house in Zamboanga-Sibugay.

The Abu Sayyaf are also holding an Indian and a Japanese in Sulu.

Recently, they released a Malaysian businessman reportedly after the payment of P1.5 million in ransom.

While ground sources declined to identify the foreigner whose release did not push through following Atyani’s alleged kidnapping, earlier negotiations were almost done for the release of retired Australian serviceman Richard Warren Rodwell. – Alexis Romero, Jun Elias, Roel Pareño, Jaime Laude