US national kidnapped in the Philippines feared dead, police say
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Mr Elliot Eastman was forcibly taken from his home in Sibuco town on Oct 17 by four unidentified suspects posing as policemen.
PHOTO: ELLIOT EASTMAN/FACEBOOK
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MANILA – A US national abducted in the southern Philippines in October has reportedly been killed, Philippine police said on Dec 5, citing a witness and one of the suspects.
Mr Elliot Eastman was forcibly taken by four unidentified suspects posing as policemen from his home in the coastal town of Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte province on Oct 17, according to an initial police investigation. The suspects’ motives were unclear.
Regional police spokesman Ramoncelio Sawan said on Dec 5 that a witness had told investigators that Mr Eastman died on the night he was abducted after being shot twice while resisting his captors as they transported him on a motorboat.
According to the witness, after Mr Eastman died, the suspects threw his body into the sea.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sawan said a suspect in the kidnapping who was arrested recently corroborated the witness’ account, and the suspect’s sworn statement had been submitted to government prosecutors.
Despite extensive search operations, the authorities have not yet found Mr Eastman’s body, Lt-Col Sawan said.
According to Mr Eastman’s YouTube Channel, he was 26 years old and had gone to the Philippines about 1½ years ago. He said he had met the love of his life there.
“I will be showing you my day-to-day life as the first and only foreigner to have ever lived here in Sibuco for a long period of time. I am from the USA!” he said in his channel.
The US Embassy in Manila said it was aware of the reports and was coordinating with the local authorities.
“The Department of State has no greater priority than the welfare and safety of US citizens abroad. We stand ready to provide assistance to US citizens in need and to their families,” it said in a statement. REUTERS
