Manila, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said yesterday he would not comment on the case of a Jordanian journalist allegedly in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf Group.
“The government is already negotiating for the release of Baker Atyani and his two Filipino crew. That remains our answer. We will avoid answering (questions)... and giving details, for their safety,” Robredo told reporters.
Earlier, Palace said only Robredo could talk on the issue.
He earlier confirmed that talks were ongoing to secure the release of the three.
The two crewmen with Atyani were identified as Rolando Letrero and Ramelito Vela.
But Robredo refused to give additional information on efforts to free the Jordanian journalist.
He admitted that they remain in the hands of their captors, saying that one of the two Filipinos had managed to contact his wife to seek help.
He said the situation could have been avoided had Atyani and his team followed the standard operating procedures set by local authorities in Sulu, especially when members of the media conduct interviews with the Abu Sayaff.
Based on Atyani’s schedule, a copy of which was recovered by officials, he and his team were to interview leaders of the Abu Sayyaf in different locations in Sulu.
Authorities in Sulu had offered to provide security but he refused.