Jordanian journalist, 2 Filipinos probably kidnapped in Sulu, says ex-kidnap victim

Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani. AP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A former kidnap victim believes that Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani and his Filipino companions Ramelito Vela and Rolando Letrero were abducted in Sulu.

“What I know is that the group had been kidnapped. Their whereabouts or which group is responsible? That is still being verified,” Sulu’s Bantay Ceasefire chair Professor Octavio Dinampo said.

Atyani and his group were scheduled to leave for Manila on June 13, a day after their arrival on the island province of Sulu.

“They (Sulu authorities) are in denial. They are allergic to reports of abduction. First, they don’t want to be blamed for the incident. Second, they refuse to acknowledge that there is indeed a big problem in as far as dealing with the armed groups, most of which have protectors and benefactors,” said Dinampo, who was among those kidnapped along with television news anchor Ces Drilon and her two crew members in 2008.

In the early days of his abduction, authorities did not consider Dinampo as among those kidnapped as he was the one who arranged the interview with Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron. Dinampo said that instead of bringing them to Sahiron, his local contact identified as Juamil Biyaw brought them to another group that held them captive.

“Based on what I have gathered, there were contacts and prior appointments with the armed groups in Sulu that supposedly had arranged the interview (with an unidentified Abu Sayyaf leader) for Atyani. Unfortunately, the two contacts came late to the (Sulu State College) hostel, but they (Atyani’s group) were given word of assurance from the armed group and unknowingly, they were betrayed,” Dinampo said.

A military intelligence source said a certain commander Tuan Nadzmer Alih was holding Atyani’s group.

“There are no pronouncements made regarding ransom demand, that may yet come soon. The group and the victims are believed to be in Patikul town area,” the same source said.

Colonel Jose Johriel Cenabre, deputy commander for operations of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao and head of the Joint Task Force Sulu,  admitted receiving the same information from various intelligence communities in Sulu, “but this information about this Alih is not yet fully verified, it is just one of the many information being spread around here.

“There are many information, but all of these are without confirmation,” Cenabre said.

Cenabre said Atyani’s group might have extended their coverage in Sulu.

“Besides, they went up there on their own volition, kaya sa ngayon mahirap magsalita kasi baka naman hindi sila nakidnap (so as for now, it’s hard to conclude anything because they might not have been kidnapped) and then we issue statement about it.”