Suspect arrested in Eastman kidnapping

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 9, 2025): Suspect arrested in Eastman kidnapping (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

(Image courtesy of SAF Facebook page)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have arrested the alleged mastermind in the kidnapping of American blogger Elliot Eastman in Zamboanga del Norte, police said Thursday.

Lt. Col. Ramoncelio Sawan, acting information officer of the Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), identified the suspect as Jackaria Jamani, 35, of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.

Sawan said Jamani was arrested aboard a ferry plying the Basilan Strait at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, with support from the police’s 55th Special Forces Company.

Jamani was arrested on a warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued on Dec. 25, 2024 by a court in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

The alleged Abu Sayyaf Group supporter was placed in the custody of the Sibuco Municipal Police Station.

Eastman was kidnapped by four gunmen from his home in Barangay Poblacion, Sibuco on the evening of Oct. 17, 2024.

One of the suspects shot Eastman when he resisted. He was then taken to a waiting motorboat.

On Dec. 5, 2024, authorities confirmed that Eastman died the night he was abducted and that his body was dumped into the sea.

Eastman, a native of Vermont, had been living in Sibuco for five months with his wife when he was kidnapped.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241408