Palace leaves it to Robredo to give updates on Atyani

Secretary Edwin Lacierda. Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Take your quotes and sound bytes on the abduction of Jordanian journalist Baker Abdulla Atyani and his two Filipino crew from Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, not from any one else.

This was what Edwin Lacierda, President Benigno Aquino III’s spokesperson, said when sought for updates on the Atyani abduction case.

Lacierda stressed that from now on, Robredo would be making the official pronouncements on the abduction of the television journalist Atyani and his two Filipino crew members.

The spokesperson made the statement after Robredo and PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome were perceived to have given conflicting statements on the Atyani case.

Robredo told the press that indeed, Atyani was with the Abu Sayyaf but Bartolome said Atyani might not be a captive at all.

Even Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has said that Atyani and his crew have been monitored by the military to be freely moving in rebel camps in Sulu.

“Officially, Jesse Robredo will be the lead official to make any updates on the Jordanian journalist,” Lacierda said in Wednesday’s news briefing.

Lacierda said Malacañang would also be leaving it to Robredo to issue statements on the matter as “this is primarily a police enforcement issue.”

Asked about other officials’ being asked for updates on the Atyani case, Lacierda said, “[Robredo] has made instructions already. He has given instructions already to the PNP.”

The PNP is under the supervision of the Department of Interior and Local Government headed by Robredo.