Metro Manila, Philippines — Authorities have identified two persons of interest in the reported kidnapping of a US citizen on Oct. 17.
In a news briefing on Monday, Oct. 21, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson PBGen Jean Fajardo said law enforcers have yet to confirm if the two persons of interest are affiliated with any group.
“Based ito sa witnesses accounts, remember nong pinasok yong bahay ng biktima, kasama niya ang asawa at in-laws,” Fajardo told reporters.
[Translation: This is based on the witnesses’ accounts. Remember that the victim was with her wife and in-laws when he was abducted.]
She also said that one of the kidnappers allegedly did not cover their face.
The 26-year-old American was reportedly abducted in his home at Sitio Tungawan in Sibuco town on the evening of Oct. 17.
The victim resisted and fled, but was shot in the leg, before being taken to a boat.
Fajardo said there was no indication that the supposed boat crossed Sulu or Basilan.
“Nag-activate na rin po tayo ng border control din po natin to check at siguraduhin na hindi makakalabas ng within Zamboanga del Norte itong mga suspects,” she said.
[Translation: Border control has been activated to check and ensure that the suspects cannot leave Zamboanga del Norte.]
In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Sibuco Mayor Joel Ventura said he would meet punong barangays, chief tanods, and bantay dagat or sea patrol by volunteers in a bid to pinpoint the victim’s location.
Agents from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also visited Sibuco town on Oct. 19.
“They are not actively involved dito sa [in the] investigation but what they seek during their visit, at umalis na sila dun [and they already left the area], just to get updates through their legal attache,” Fajardo said.
