Manila, Philippines - Missing Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani and his two Filipino cameramen were monitored to be in the company not only of the Abu Sayyaf but also of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Sulu.
Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, deputy commander for Marine Operation of the Naval Forces in Western Mindanao, said ground troops are continuously tracking the movements of the three.
“So far, they are safe going around with different Abu Sayyaf and MNLF groups doing interviews,” Cenabre said.
“We cannot confirm or say that they were victims of kidnapping but for sure they are with the Abu Sayyaf or any armed group,” he said.
Ground security sources in Sulu, however, confirmed the kidnapping of Atyani’s group, saying the Abu Sayyaf group led by Tahil Sali is holding them somewhere in Talipao and Patikul.
As reported in the Jordan Times, the Foreign Ministry of Jordan said Atyani, Dubai-based Al Arabiya TV Southeast Asia bureau chief, and Filipino cameramen Ramelito Vela and Rolan Letriro, were kidnapped in Sulu.
Atyani and the two Filipinos, who arrived in Jolo last June 11, have not returned since they left their hotel last Wednesday supposedly to meet some Abu Sayyaf personalities.
Police said they would not launch any rescue operation until they have ascertained that the three were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf militants.