Basilan – October 18, 2024
Basilan Governor Jim Salliman-Hataman has assured the public that there is no indication of the presence of an American captive or his abductors in the province, following the recent abduction of American citizen Elliot Onil Eastman in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.
In a statement released on Friday, Governor Hataman clarified that while initial reports suggested the possibility of the kidnappers taking their victim to island provinces, including Basilan, there has been no evidence to support this claim. “We have been monitoring since the news broke out, but there is still no indication that the American captive has been brought to Basilan,” the governor emphasized.
Eastman was reportedly shot and wounded in the leg after resisting his abductors, leading local authorities to believe that the kidnappers may not have moved far from Sibuco due to the difficulty of transporting their injured captive.
Governor Hataman reaffirmed that Basilan is free of Abu Sayyaf militants and other kidnappers, stressing that the province is heavily monitored and controlled by government forces, as well as friendly forces from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “There is no possibility they have reached Basilan. The entire province is under strict surveillance by our troops and allied forces,” he said.
The governor also expressed confidence that no community in Basilan would dare provide refuge to the kidnappers. He called on local barangay and community leaders to report any suspicious individuals to the authorities, while reiterating the provincial government’s commitment to reject any negotiation with the abductors.
“As we continue to ensure the safety of our communities, we remain firm in our stance to not negotiate with kidnappers,” Governor Hataman concluded.
The search for Eastman and his captors continues, with authorities intensifying their efforts to locate the group and ensure the safe return of the American citizen.
