JOLO, Philippines – Jordanian TV reporter Bakr Atyani on Thursday (December 5th) described how he escaped captivity by Islamic militants in the southern Philippine jungle following an 18-month kidnap ordeal in which he lost a third of his body weight.
Looking gaunt and haggard, Atyani said he sneaked out after his guards from the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group went to get supplies. He told ANC Television it was his third escape attempt.
"This time, they were really too busy, and I noticed that before sunset... they (went) to the nearby town market (and) a good number of them were out of the place and there was no security," the Al-Arabiya reporter said.
Atyani said over time he managed to get a general idea of where he was being held and what direction to take should he escape.
Police said they found Atyani wandering near a jungle-clad area of Jolo on Wednesday evening.
Dubai-based broadcaster Al-Arabiya said in a statement Wednesday Atyani was handed over to Filipino authorities by the kidnappers, but the account from police and Atyani himself contradicted that.
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