MANILA, Philippines - Jordanian journalist Baker Abdulla Atyani, kidnapped last year by the Abu Sayyaf bandit group, is still alive, a police official assured on Monday.
Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra, Sulu police provincial office director, said latest intelligence reports indicate that Atyani is alive.
"Meron po tayong mga update. Meron po tayong mga intelligence report na namu-monitor natin ang movement ng mga ito [at si] Atyani ay talagang buhay naman po," Freyra said.
Atyani was kidnapped along with crew members -- cameraman Ramel Vela and audio technician Rolando Letriro -- in Sulu on June 13 last year.
Vela and Letriro, who were freed by their captors on Saturday night, said that they were separated from Atyani five days after they were kidnapped.
"Kung base po sa pahayag nitong dalawa pero limang araw lang sila after na sila ay makuha. Limang araw lang sila nagkasama then naghiwalay na sila. Silang dalawa na lang laging magkasama at si Baker Atyani naman ay sa ibang lugar na siguro pagkat hindi na po nila nakita," Freyra said.
Atyani and his crew went to Sulu to interview the leaders of the Abu Sayyaf.
Reports said that ransom was paid for the release of the two released victims. There are also reports that the bandit group holding Atyani is asking for a separate ransom payment for his release.