THE three suspects in the kidnapping of an American vlogger in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte are now in police custody, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.
“Yesterday, the cases against the six identified suspects were filed and inquested. Three of them are currently under the custody of the PNP,” said Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, the PNP spokesperson, during a press briefing.
“This is in relation to the kidnapping of an American national. The case filed yesterday is for kidnapping and serious illegal detention,” he added.
On October 17, four men abducted Elliot Eastman from his in-laws’ house in the coastal town of Sibuco. The American national reportedly resisted but was shot in the leg. He was then taken on a boat towards the open sea.
There has been no ransom demand or proof of life from Eastman’s abductors yet.
One of the three suspects surrendered, while the other two were arrested by the authorities, according to Fajardo. The three suspects were directly involved in the abduction, he added.
Fajardo mentioned that the three have previous murder cases, with two of them belonging to a criminal gang.
The suspects in police custody identified three more individuals involved in the crime who are currently at large. Fajardo also stated that the police are looking for additional John Does who could be accessories to the kidnapping.
However, Fajardo mentioned that the suspects in police custody did not provide any information regarding Eastman’s location or whether he is still alive.
“Based on our initial investigation, at least in the task group’s investigation, kidnapping is indeed the motive here,” Fajardo said.
