Elliot Eastman Youtube Channel 

MANILA — The police are now considering eight suspects in the abduction of American content creator Elliot Onin Eastman in Zamboanga del Norte, an official said Tuesday.

Police Lt. Col. Helen Galvez, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), said authorities are pursuing the arrest of five suspects, as three are already in their custody.

“Alam na natin kung sino sila. Alam na natin ‘yong mga bahay nila at ‘yon ang pinupuntahan na natin,” she said.

(We know who they are. We know where they live, so we send people there)

PH police: No communication, ransom demand from Eastman's abductors yet

The suspects are not involved with any local armed or terrorist groups Galvez said, adding their motives remain unclear as they have not made any demands.

“Individual ‘yong mga records nila. Nagsama lang ho sila no’ng nakakita sila ng vulnerable victim,” she said. 

(They have individual records. They just worked together on this abduction after they saw a vulnerable victim) 

Police have yet to confirm any proof of life for the 26-year-old foreigner, but they are now following a lead to determine where he was taken.

“Lahat ng operations natin sa ngayon is (All our operations are)based on intelligence, testimonies, profiling of the suspect,” she said.

Eastman, a native of Vermont and married to a Filipina, was abducted on October 17 from their residence in Barangay Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte. The kidnappers forced him onto a pump boat.

The local government of Sibuco has offered a cash reward of P500,000 for any information that will lead to Eastman's rescue and to the arrest of the abductors.