Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay | November 12, 2024
Six individuals suspected of involvement in the recent kidnapping of American citizen Elliot Onil Eastman were killed during an ongoing military and police operation in Barangay Mamagon, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay, early Tuesday morning. The intense operation, which began around 4 a.m., follows intelligence reports suggesting sightings of Eastman in the area as recently as November 4.
According to a reliable source, the operation has now expanded into Barangay Canacan in the neighboring municipality of Kabasalan, as security forces increase efforts to locate Eastman, who was kidnapped last month in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, and to neutralize those involved in his abduction.
In response to the escalating security situation, Naga Mayor Rino O. Delos Reyes issued Executive Order No. 018, mandating the suspension of classes at all levels within the municipality. The order, effective from 8:00 a.m. on November 12 to midnight on November 13, cites the safety of students, teachers, and school personnel as the utmost priority amid heightened risks posed by ongoing military operations.
Mayor Delos Reyes’s directive references the Local Government Code of 1991, which empowers local officials to take emergency measures in the face of disturbances. The order also mandates that the Municipal Mayor’s Office, the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and the Department of Education Naga District disseminate the suspension notice to ensure community awareness and compliance.
Eastman, 26, was abducted on October 17 from a coastal residence in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, by armed men. To date, his family has not received any ransom demand or proof of life, though authorities continue to work under the assumption that he may still be alive.
With security concerns rising, local authorities have also restricted movement around affected barangays in Naga. As of noon on Tuesday, no official statements have been issued by the military or police regarding the outcome of the operation or Eastman’s current status, but updates are expected as the situation unfolds.
The Philippine government’s response highlights its commitment to resolving the case swiftly while safeguarding the welfare of local communities and educational institutions.
