ZAMBOANGA CITY - Authorities have in custody three suspects in the recent abduction of an American citizen in Zamboanga del Norte, police confirmed Wednesday. Lt. Col. Helen Galvez, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), said one suspect was apprehended during an operation, while two others surrendered voluntarily. Their identities were withheld pending further investigation. Police filed charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention based on an extrajudicial confession from the two who surrendered, claiming that Elliot Eastman, 26, would be released in exchange for a ransom. Police said the suspects did not disclose the ransom amount. The case was submitted Tuesday afternoon to the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Prosecutor's Office in Sindangan. In a separate statement, PRO-9 Director Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding disclosed that three more suspects remain at large and are the target of a manhunt. 'Intelligence, investigation, and tactical operations led to th e identification of three other suspects directly involved in the crime,' said Masauding, who also heads the Critical Incident Management Task Group (CIMTG) 'Eastman.' The CIMTG, which coordinates efforts among the National Bureau of Investigation, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Western Mindanao Command, and Philippine Coast Guard, continues its search. Eastman, a Vermont native married to a resident of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, was abducted at gunpoint from their coastal home in Barangay Poblacion on Oct. 17. During the abduction, one of the armed men reportedly shot Eastman in the leg when he resisted, then dragged him to a motorboat, which fled to open waters. Bounty raised Meanwhile, the reward for information leading to the resolution of Eastman's case has increased to PHP500,000. Zamboanga del Norte 3rd District Rep. Adrian Amatong contributed PHP350,000 to the original reward of PHP150,000 offered by Sibuco Mayor Joel Ventura. Ventura's reward is aimed at locating the 'jungkong' m otorboat used in the abduction. Source: Philippines News Agency