PNP widens search for kidnapped American

The police and military have expanded the search for Elliot Onil Eastman outside the Zamboanga peninsula, a week after the American was kidnapped in Sibuco town.

- Roel Pareño

Lt. Col. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office 9 (PRO) spokesperson, said authorities are already in custody of several persons of interest.

"We are not ceasing in locating the victim and the abductors. For now, we already have the suspects (who) are providing leads to our forces in the rescue operations," Galvez said.

She added that the "rescue operation is being conducted in the general area of Zamboanga peninsula."

"We have also crossed borders, to places our intelligence units pinpointed in the report," Galvez noted.