Police arrest alleged mastermind in abduction of American vlogger Elliot Eastman

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1736414905462Elliot-Eastman.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Elliot Eastman Youtube Channel"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Elliot Eastman Youtube Channel </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Police have arrested the alleged mastermind in the kidnapping of American vlogger Elliot Eastman in Zamboanga del Norte.</p><p>In a report, the Police Regional Office – Zamboanga Peninsula said the suspect, identified as Ustadz Jakaria Jamani, was arrested aboard a ferry crossing the Basilan Strait on Tuesday afternoon.</p><p>Jamani, 35, was nabbed by virtue of an arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by a court in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/10/28/-person-of-interest-in-kidnapping-of-american-sent-surrender-feeler-pnp-1636">&#x27;Person of interest&#x27; in kidnapping of American sent surrender feeler – PNP</a></div><p>The suspect was placed in the custody of the Sibuco Municipal Police Station.</p><p>Eastman, a 26-year-old native of Vermont who married a Filipina, was abducted by four gunmen from his home in Barangay Poblacion in Sibuco last October 17.</p><p>His abductors <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/10/21/ph-police-no-communication-ransom-demand-from-eastmans-abductors-yet-2040">did not reach out to demand ransom</a> for his release nor did they contact his family at all.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/5/abducted-american-vlogger-believed-dead-police-1510">Abducted American vlogger believed dead — police</a></div><p>On December 5, authorities told reporters they believe Eastman died the night he was abducted and that his body was thrown into the sea, citing the testimonies of a witness and one of the suspects in the abduction.</p><p>The vlogger’s body has yet to be found.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2024/12/6/pnp-says-remains-of-abducted-american-vlogger-may-not-be-recovered-1232">PNP says remains of abducted American vlogger may not be recovered</a></div>

<p>Police have arrested the alleged mastermind in the kidnapping of American vlogger Elliot Eastman in Zamboanga del Norte.</p>

Police have arrested the alleged mastermind in the kidnapping of American vlogger Elliot Eastman in Zamboanga del Norte.

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Police arrest alleged mastermind in abduction of American vlogger Elliot Eastman

Police arrest alleged mastermind in abduction of American vlogger Elliot Eastman

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 09, 2025 05:28 PM PHT

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