An American Man Abducted in Philippines Presumed Dead After Witness Claims He Was Shot
An American man, Elliot Eastman from Vermont, is presumed dead after being abducted in the Philippines and shot during a struggle with his captors, according to police. Eastman, who was living with his wife in Sibuco, on the island of Mindanao, was taken away from his home on October 17.
A witness claimed that Eastman was shot twice by his captors as they fled the scene, and police are currently trying to verify this account. Despite the lack of confirmation, Regional Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Ramoncelio Sawan said, “We are constrained to believe that he has died. All of the information that we have points to that.”
Police have made several arrests in their search for Eastman, and three suspects were killed in a gun battle last month. However, they have yet to find his body, which the witness claimed was thrown overboard. Sawan vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice to protect foreigners living in the area.
The abduction is unlikely to be linked to Muslim rebels, according to police, and the areas where Eastman was taken is known for its history of insurgency and crime. The US State Department advises citizens to reconsider travel to Mindanao due to the risk of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.