Police arrest three suspects in Zamboanga kidnapping of US citizen

Metro Manila, Philippines — Authorities arrested three suspects in the kidnapping of a US citizen in Zamboanga del Norte, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

PNP spokesperson PBGen Jean Fajardo said the suspects had a direct hand in the abduction of Elliot Onil Eastman.

"Lumalabas na sila ‘yung nag-spot doon sa victim na considering na bagong mukha doon, isang foreigner, sila ang allegedly nag plano para kidnapping ito," said Fajardo.

[Translation: It appears they were the ones who spotted the victim as a new face, a foreigner, and allegedly planned to kidnap him.]

The PNP has linked the suspects to the Norjan Sandag criminal group, a notorious gang active in the Zamboanga region, with two of the suspects holding prior criminal records, including murder.

The three suspects have reportedly provided authorities with the names of three accomplices still at large.

Efforts to locate the victim are ongoing, with the PNP expressing optimism that Eastman had not gone far as the boat the kidnappers took had limited range.

"Unang-una siya ay may tama ng baril at ‘yung bangkang ginamit ay hindi makalayo dahil hindi siya intended para sa long distance na pagbiyahe," Fajardo said.

[Translation: First of all, the victims has a gunshot wound, and the boat used for his abduction isn’t meant for long-distance travel]

The kidnappers have not demanded ransom.