MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday it has activated border control measures in the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as it continues to search for an American national who was kidnapped in Zamboanga del Norte.
In a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said there is no indication yet that the culprits and the victim, 26-year-old Elliot Eastman, have already left the province.
“So far there is no indication that they already crossed either Basilan or Sulu but just the same, we are keeping watch on coastal areas to make sure that these suspects will not be able to leave Zamboanga del Norte,” she said.
The Police Regional Office-Zamboanga activated the Critical Incident Management Task Group to focus on the swift resolution of the October 17 abduction in Barangay Poblacion, Sibuco town.
The police have identified at least two persons of interest (POIs), with composite artist’s sketches, Fajardo said.
“When the culprits entered the victim’s house, the victim was with his wife and in-laws and accordingly, the witnesses said one of the suspects apparently did not have a face cover and was seen to be fixing a banca near the area. When we showed a picture of the persons from our rogue gallery, the witnesses positively identified him,” Fajardo said.
The investigation includes backtracking and research in the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to check if the POIs can be traced to local terrorist groups, she said.
Fajardo said the victim’s family has yet to receive ransom demands from the abductors.
Fajardo also confirmed that the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation has coordinated with the family of the victim, particularly with his Filipino wife, but is not taking part in the investigation.
Police reports said four gun-toting suspects, posing as law enforcement officers, forcibly entered Eastman’s residence at 11 p.m.
Eastman resisted and was shot in the leg before he was taken and transported using a motorboat.
Originally from Vermont state in the US, he has been living in Barangay Poblacion for five months since his marriage. (PNA)