Jordan Journalist Atyani is abducted

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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In accordance with the Foreign Ministry of Jordon, t Philippine authorities claimed that Jordanian journalist Bakar Atyani has been abducted. Sabah Rafei the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “Efforts exerted via the Jordanian embassy in Tokyo and our consul in Manila have confirmed that Atyani was kidnapped.” He said that they were following up the case in order to secure Atyani’s safe release, other than that Rafei did not provide any other detail.

Jesse Robredo, Philippine Interior and Local Government Secretary claimed earlier that Atyani was involved with terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group but was safe and was not threatened. Sulu Governor Sakur Tan supported Robredo’s recommendations for deporting the Jordan journalist once he returns to the country. Tan also said that he wanted him investigated and arrested before his deportation. He told to the media persons, “I will have him arrested. I will have him investigated for promoting these criminals and then we will deport him.”

He also declared that Atyani has broken the peace in Sulu and criticized his two Filipino companions Roland Letrino and Ramel Vela for supporting Atyani and agreeing to go “with that fool” for interviewing  Aby Sayyaf without taking any help from police or military protection.    

However, on Friday, the Human Rights Commissioner Jose Manuel Mamaug reminded the government of its responsibility to protect Atyani’s human rights. He said, “Whether it is deliberate or it was his intention to be kidnapped is not to be discussed.”  Mamaug said it was the obligation of the authorities to search for him and grant him with security even if it was believed that he brought this condition upon himself for refusing police and military protection.