The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday they achieved “significant progress” on the case of abducted American vlogger Elliott Eastman in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte after a person of interest (POI) sent “surrender feelers.”
“This person of interest of theirs, I understand, sent surrender feelers. That is a good development on this case and hopefully in the coming days, if not today, there will be a development,” PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing.
Fajardo declined to provide other details on the POI’s connection with Eastman and other people in the said community. “As to the identity of this person of interest, I hope you will understand if I do not provide his relationship to the kidnapping victim or the other people within the community,” she said.
Last October 17, Eastman was kidnapped from his in-laws’ house in the coastal town of Sibuco by four unidentified individuals. The American national reportedly resisted but was shot in the leg. He
was then brought to a boat that headed for the high seas.
Fajardo said the kidnappers still have neither communicated their demand nor showed proof of life of their victim. Earlier, she said law enforcement authorities are looking into two POIs and verifying if they are connected to any groups.
“According to the witnesses, one of the suspects apparently did not have his face covered and was seen allegedly preparing a boat there,” Fajardo had said. “We already have composite sketches. When this picture was shown, even in our rogues’ gallery, witnesses identified one of the suspects.”
The local government of Sibuco offered a P150,000 reward for information on the abduction of the US national.
Eastman, in his posted vlogs through his channel, talked about “not being liked” in their area, saying that “they want bad things to happen” to him, and that people have been informing his family of threats to kidnap him.
