Military vows to eliminate group behind Eastman kidnap

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The military has vowed to eliminate the group that seized American citizen Elliot Onil Eastman, who remains missing since the kidnapping more than a month ago.

A military official yesterday said the kidnappers were composed of members of a local crime group and former followers of slain Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Furuji Indama.

The discovery of the rising kidnap ring came following continuous investigation and an encounter in Barangay Canacan in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay last week that killed eight suspects.

Brig. Gen. Elmer Suderio, chief of the Army’s 102nd Brigade, said some of the eight fatalities took part in the kidnapping of Eastman in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte on Oct. 17.