Three of six suspects in the kidnapping of American national Elliot Eastman in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte are now under police custody.
According to the Police Regional Office (PRO)-9, two of the suspects surrendered while the third was arrested at his house in Sibuco.
One suspect surrendered on October 27, 2024 while another surrendered on October 28. The third suspect was arrested during a hot pursuit operation in Sibuco.
“Sila na po mismo ang nag-surrender sa atin at may mga extrajudicial confession na rin silang ginawa kaya din napunta dito sa paghuli ng isang kasama nila,” said P/Lt. Col. Helen Galvez, spokesperson of PRO-9.
The three suspects allegedly served as “pointman” during the alleged abduction.
Police said they do not belong to a terrorist group.
“Sila ay nagsama at nakakita ng oportunidad na gumawa ng ganitong plano, kidnapping. Hindi po sila organized, hindi sila belonging mga dating threat groups natin dito sa area,” Galvez said.
Charges for kidnapping and serious illegal detention have been filed against the suspects.
“Na-inquest na natin yung kaso kahapon sa Provincial Prosecutor sa may Sindangan, and violations of Article 267 ng Revised Penal Code or kidnapping and serious illegal detention,” Galvez said.
Police already have the names of the three suspects at large.
As of this writing, Eastman’s family has not received a demand for ransom from the suspects. Authorities hope to get information on his whereabouts from the suspects arrested.
The reward money for information into the kidnapping is now P500,000.
Eastman was abducted by four armed men from his house in Sibuco evening on October 17, 2024.
The suspects allegedly shot Eastman in the leg when he refused to go with them and forced the American to board a banca, which may have headed to Sulu or Basilan.
Eastman has been living in the province for nearly five months after he got married to a resident in the area.