Police report that kidnapped US citizens have died in the Philippines

MANILA. A US citizen kidnapped in the southern Philippines in October has reportedly been killed, Philippine police said Thursday, citing a witness and one of the suspects.

According to a preliminary police investigation, Elliot Eastman was forcibly taken from his home in the coastal town of Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte on October 17 by four unidentified suspects posing as police officers. Their motive was unclear.

Regional police spokesman Lt. Col. Ramoncelio Savan said Thursday that a witness told investigators that Eastman died the night he was abducted after being shot twice while resisting the kidnappers as they transported him in a motorboat.

According to the witness, after Eastman died from his injuries, the suspects threw his body into the sea.

Savan said the kidnapping suspect who was recently arrested corroborated the witness’s account, and the suspect’s affidavit was turned over to the state attorney’s office.

Despite extensive search operations, authorities still have not found Eastman’s body, Savan said.

According to Eastman’s YouTube channel, he was 26 years old and came to the Philippines about a year and a half ago, where he says he met the love of his life.

“I will show you my daily life as the first and only foreigner who has ever lived here in Sibuko for a long time. I’m from the USA!” he said on his channel.

The US Embassy in Manila said it was aware of the reports and was coordinating with local authorities.

“The State Department has no higher priority than the well-being and safety of US citizens abroad. We are ready to provide assistance to US citizens in need and their families,” the statement said. Reuters