MANILA, Philippines — Police in the Philippines said Wednesday that they had arrested three suspects in the kidnapping of an American in the country’s south and that they believe the victim, who was shot in the leg during the abduction, is still alive.
Two of the suspects in the Oct. 17 kidnapping of Elliot Onil Eastman, 26, in Sibuco town in Zamboanga del Norte province surrendered separately and pointed to a third suspect, who was arrested in Sibuco, police officials said.
Three other suspects, who may be holding Eastman, have been identified, police said, adding that more people could be involved.
He has been posting Facebook videos of his life in Sibuco, a remote and poor coastal town, where the suspects spotted him, Galvez said.
The Abu Sayyaf group had targeted American and other Western tourists and religious missionaries, most of whom were freed after ransoms were paid.
Persons:
Elliot Onil Eastman, “, Helen Galvez, ”, Galvez, Eastman, Abu Sayyaf, ransoms, Guillermo Sobero, Martin Burnham, Gracia Burnham
Organizations:
Philippines — Police, Eastman, Associated Press, Catholic
Locations:
MANILA, Philippines, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, Vermont, Moro Islamic, American, Basilan, Philippine, Sirawai
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