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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Hataman says no signs of Eastman in Basilan at present

Hataman says no signs of Eastman in Basilan at present

Published Oct 21, 2024 02:42 pm

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Gov. Jim Salliman said there is no indication at present that American kidnap victim Elliot Onil Eastman is in Basilan.

SALLIMAN.jpeg

SALLIMAN

In a statement on Monday, Oct. 21, Salliman said that he has ordered the immediate mobilization of resources after learning about the abduction in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte on Thursday, Oct. 17.

“Since then, we have been monitoring and continue to monitor until now, but still there has been no indication of the American captive anywhere in Basilan,” Salliman said in response to the police statement about the possibility of the kidnappers taking their captive to island-provinces.

Salliman believes that Eastman is still in Sibuco since it would be difficult for his abductors to move him after he was shot while resisting his captors.

He said that municipalities in Basilan tagged in the past as Abu Sayyaf Group strongholds have been declared free from the terrorist group.

Hataman added that the entire province is saturated with government troops and that all areas are under the control of security forces.

He believes that no one in the province will harbor the kidnappers.

“Kaya, walang posibilidad na nandito o nakarating sila dito. Mahigpit na binabantayan ng ating tropa kasama ang friendly forces ang buong probinsya. So, wala talaga silang mapuntahan,” Salliman said.

(There is no chance of Eastman being in Basilan. The entire province is guarded by troops and friendly forces. So they cannot come here)

Meanwhile, newly installed Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Administrative Region chief Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Juan Macapaz held a command conference in Basilan on Sunday to investigate reports that Eastman was brought to the province.

MACAPAZ.jpeg

MACAPAZ

Macapaz instructed security forces to intensify intelligence gathering to ascertain if the 26-year-old Eastman was taken to Basilan.

He said that at present, there is no indication that Eastman is in Basilan.

Police Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, Police Regional Office-9 director, ordered the creation of a task group to probe the kidnapping within their area of responsibility.

Related Tags

Kidnapping Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman Elliot Onil Eastman
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