Eastman kidnap suspect, 2 others slain in shootout

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Three men, including a suspect in the kidnapping of American national Elliot Onil Eastman, were killed in an encounter in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay yesterday.

The fatalities were identified as Abdul Sahibad, his brother Fahad and Mursid Ahod, said to be members of a kidnapping group operating in Zamboanga peninsula.

Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said Abdul was among persons of interest in the kidnapping of Eastman.

The encounter occurred as police and military forces intensified the search for Eastman, who has been missing for more than three weeks now.

A team of soldiers and police officers exchanged fire with 10 armed men at around 3 a.m. in Barangay Canacan, according to Brig. Gen. Elmer Suderio, chief of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade.

“Intelligence suggests that Ahod and the Sahibad brothers provided refuge and support to other suspects and persons of interest involved in the kidnapping of Eastman,” Masauding said.

Police said Ahod was the seventh most wanted man in Zamboanga Sibugay for alleged involvement in kidnapping, extortion and a massacre in 2015 and 2016 in Kabasalan.

Lt. Col. Anshary Pumbaya, chief of the Army’s 106th Infantry Battalion, said civilians informed them about the presence of the suspects in the area.

Pumbaya said members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front as well as the local governments of Naga and Kabasalan supported the police and military operations against the suspects.

Eastman, who is married to a Filipina, was seized from his in-laws’ residence in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte on Oct. 17.