‘Persons of interest’ in Eastman abduction killed in clash

Inquirer files

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, Philippines — Three suspected members of a kidnap-for-ransom group who were also identified as “persons of interest” in the abduction of an American vlogger were killed in a clash with soldiers in Zamboanga Sibugay province on Tuesday, military and police reports said.

Brig. Gen. Elmer Suderio, commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, said the firefight at Barangay Canacan in Kabasalan town killed Mursid Ahod and brothers Abdul and Fahad Sahibad, who were suspected to be part of a criminal gang operating in the Zamboanga Peninsula region.

READ: Still no proof of life on abducted American

Earlier, the regional police said the suspects in the abduction of Elliot Eastman from his home in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, on Oct. 17 belonged to different local crime groups who would sometimes work together if an opportunity arose.

On Tuesday, police tagged the slain suspects as persons of interest in Eastman’s case.

Brig. Gen. Joey Masauding, Zamboanga Peninsula police director, said their intelligence report showed that Ahod and the Sahibad brothers provided refuge and support for other suspects in Eastman’s abduction, preventing them from being arrested by authorities.

Ahod was listed as the eighth most wanted person in Zamboanga Sibugay and was involved kidnapping, extortion and theft cases. Ahod, a native of Kabasalan town, was also a suspect in murder cases in Kabasalan in 2015 and 2016.

No direct link

Suderio told the Inquirer that they were making sure the kidnap-for-ransom group in Zamboanga Sibugay would not be able to establish contact and help the armed men who abducted Eastman.

Police, who already had the sworn statements of some of those involved in the Eastman abduction, were still pursuing at least two suspects.

Suderio clarified, however, that Ahod and the Sahibads had no direct connection to the Eastman kidnapping.

Lt. Col. Anshary Pumbaya, commanding officer of the Army’s 106th Infantry Battalion, acknowledged the help of locals and the assistance of members of the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front leaders who provided soldiers with timely information about the presence of the crime group in the area.

As soldiers continued to pursue other retreating members of the kidnap-for-ransom group, Naga Mayor Rino delos Reyes and Kabasalan Mayor Katrina Cainglit Balladares separately declared class suspension on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13.

Both mayors cited the need to ensure the safety and security of the students, teachers and other school personnel.