De Lima cautions Robredo on his ‘ban’ statement against Jordanian journalist

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER/Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines—Jordanian journalist Baker Abdulla Atyani did not violate Philippine laws even if he failed to coordinate with Philippine authorities on his trip to Sulu, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said Wednesday.

De Lima was apparently reacting to an earlier statement of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo who said he wants Atyani banned from entering the country again for going to Jolo to interview leaders  of the terror group Abu Sayyaf without informing the government.

De Lima said banning Atyani from coming again to the Philippines has to have a basis. “We cannot just declare him persona non grata or ban someone (for that matter) from coming back to the Philippines because we have to be careful of possible repercussions especially with the international media.”

De Lima said “coordination is more of policy…administrative guidelines that as of now, I am not sure where these are written—maybe written protocols by the PNP [Philippine National Police] and AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines].”

On possible violation of the Human Security Act, De Lima said, “Human Security Act is against terrorism. We have not seen any overt act on that journalist tending to show that he is in conspiracy or in cahoots with the Abu Sayyaf terrorist.”

At the same time, De Lima cautioned fellow government officials saying the government should be more prudent in making statements regarding the circumstances surrounding Atyani and his crew.

De Lima said the state should “not make an issue out of it because responsibility din natin na protektahan ang mga dayuhan (it’s also our responsibility to protect the foreigners).”

From the Presidential Palace, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that authorities are investigating all possible angles surrounding the disappearance of the Jordanian newsman including the possibility that he could be a “fund conduit” for the al-Qaeda, an international terrorist network funded by Osama bin Laden.

Atyani was able to meet and interview Bin Laden a few months before the 9-11 attack in the US.