Palace: Sayyaf has Jordanian

Manila, Philippines -  A Jordanian journalist reported missing in Sulu is in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf, Malacañang said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said he had no information on whether ransom had been demanded for Baker Atyani, Al Arabiya news network’s Southeast Asia bureau chief.

“What we can confirm is that he is in the hands of (Abu Sayyaf), and that he went there voluntarily for an interview,” Lacierda said.

“We were informed that we were providing security for him. When I say we, (Sulu) Gov. Abdusakur Tan, but he declined, and at 5 a.m. on June 12, I think he was seen riding a vehicle voluntarily. Up to that time after that, we have no information anymore as to his whereabouts until today.”

A crisis committee has been formed to handle the situation, he added.

However, the Philippine National Police (PNP) considers Atyani and his two Filipino crew members as merely missing, not kidnapped.

Speaking to reporters, Senior Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., PNP spokesman, said the “missing” status remains in the absence of any ransom demand.

“At this point, we consider him missing as there are no reports or information that suggests the contrary,” he said.

“What we know is Atyani is a Jordanian journalist, connected with an Arabian network.”

Lacierda said Governor Tan had taken the lead in handling the case of Atyani.

Tan had offered to provide security for the television crew but this was refused, he added.

Lacierda said the government’s no-ransom policy remains whatever the outcome of talks Tan would have with the Abu Sayyaf.

“But, again, the lines of communication are between Gov. Sakur Tan and ASG,” he said. “We have not identified personnel who’s doing the discussions with the ASG.”

The government is getting updates from Tan, who is coordinating with Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, he added.

Lacierda said the Jordanian went voluntarily to interview the Abu Sayyaf.

“This is primarily an interview that the Jordanian journalist decided to do,” he said.

“So as to what the intentions of the ASG when they agreed to be interviewed, that’s beyond our comprehension.”

Lacierda said journalists must always coordinate with the government in doing their jobs that entail security risks.

“We will give our fullest effort to advise and to provide security,” he said. “But, again, it is up to the journalists if they will accept the help or advice of the government.”

Lacierda said when the Jordanian journalist came over, the understanding was he was going to interview Tan.

“We were informed that he is going to interview the Abu Sayyaf, considering that we were providing him security, he refused,” he said.

“We offered him to stay... the mayor offered him to stay in his house, he refused; and at 5 a.m. without informing us, without informing government, he went voluntarily to (interview Abu Sayyaf supposedly).”

 Cerbo said the police are “not exactly clueless” on the whereabouts of the foreign journalist and his crew.

“I’m sure our people on the ground have a lot of leads and information that at this point are subject of evaluation and verification for the safe recovery of the Jordanian,” he said.

Cerbo said the case remains a local issue and that a crisis management committee that the Patikul, Sulu mayor heads is on top of the situation.

“Although the matter remains a local issue, the resources of the PNP and the AFP are available,” he said.

“I’m sure other agencies involved will provide all resources to ensure safe recovery of the foreign journalist.” Cerbo said Atyani has been coming in and out of the country for some time now.

“This Jordanian journalist is here to do a special (report), which will be shown in the Middle East,” he said.

“The report is focused on terrorism and in fact he has spoken with some police and military officials and local government executives.”

Lacierda said the latest travel warning of the United States has nothing to do with the incident involving the Jordanian.

“Again, their travel warning is a regular update that they give, provide to their US citizens who are in the country and those who plan to visit the country,” he said.

“We have noticed-and we have mentioned before-some cities being removed from the travel warning specifically Metro Manila. So it’s really an upgrade insofar as diminishing the areas where an American should be cautioned to visit. But that has no relation with the incident that happened in Sulu.”

The Jordanian disappeared in Sulu, along with his two Filipino cameramen last week.

Initial investigation showed they checked in at the Sulu State College Hostel in Jolo on Monday, June 11, as they were to shoot a television documentary.

On Tuesday, the three joined local media in an interview with Tan after which they went to Jolo town proper. They then failed to return to their hostel.

Meanwhile, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo advised yesterday foreign journalists to exercise caution in going to conflict areas and to coordinate with the local authorities.

Speaking over the Catholic Church-run Radio Veritas, Bagaforo said traveling to conflict areas could be “very risky” for foreigners “because they could be magnets for kidnapping.

“To these bad elements, it is an opportunity for them to raise money,” he said.

“Avoid endangering your lives. If possible coordinate with the local authorities, local people or the non-government organizations in the area so we would know how to react if something happens.”

The payment of ransom must be discouraged to stop these illegal activities, he added.–With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Evelyn Macairan