American Kidnapped in Philippines

[JosephZ]

US citizen abducted in Zamboanga del Norte

Authorities have launched an extensive manhunt to rescue an American citizen who was shot and abducted Thursday night in a coastal village in Zamboanga del Norte.

The Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9) identified the victim as 26-year-old Elliot Onil Eastman, who was taken by four armed men around 11 p.m. in Sitio Tungawan, Barangay Poblacion, Sibuco.

Initial reports indicate the gunmen, posing as law enforcement officers, forcibly entered Eastman’s residence.

[Eastman] resisted and was shot in the leg before being transported using a motorboat, the police report said.

The US Embassy in Manila is aware of the kidnapping and is “coordinating with local authorities.”

“We generally do not comment on reports of potential kidnappings while investigations are ongoing. The Department of State has no greater priority than the welfare and safety of US citizens abroad,” Embassy Deputy Press Attaché Glenda Wallace said in a statement.



While it hasn't been confirmed, the kidnapping of Elliot Eastman appears to have been carried out by members of the Islamic State affiliate Abu Sayyaf Group. This assumption is based on the location of where the kidnapping occurred and the modus operandi of those who abducted him.

 

[AlexB23]

US citizen abducted in Zamboanga del Norte

Authorities have launched an extensive manhunt to rescue an American citizen who was shot and abducted Thursday night in a coastal village in Zamboanga del Norte.

The Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9) identified the victim as 26-year-old Elliot Onil Eastman, who was taken by four armed men around 11 p.m. in Sitio Tungawan, Barangay Poblacion, Sibuco.

Initial reports indicate the gunmen, posing as law enforcement officers, forcibly entered Eastman’s residence.

[Eastman] resisted and was shot in the leg before being transported using a motorboat, the police report said.

The US Embassy in Manila is aware of the kidnapping and is “coordinating with local authorities.”

“We generally do not comment on reports of potential kidnappings while investigations are ongoing. The Department of State has no greater priority than the welfare and safety of US citizens abroad,” Embassy Deputy Press Attaché Glenda Wallace said in a statement.



While it hasn't been confirmed, the kidnapping of Elliot Eastman appears to have been carried out by members of the Islamic State affiliate Abu Sayyaf Group. This assumption is based on the location of where the kidnapping occurred and the modus operandi of those who abducted him.

Pray for the swift return of Elliot Eastman, and that he is alive and unharmed. Also pray that the perpetrators realize their mistakes, and repent of their sins.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Pray for the swift return of Elliot Eastman, and that he is alive and unharmed. Also pray that the perpetrators realize their mistakes, and repent of their sins.

In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name, Amen and Amen.

I wonder why they nabbed him in such a targeted manner. That seems specific.

There's a lot of questions...

 

[AlexB23]

In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name, Amen and Amen.

I wonder why they nabbed him in such a targeted manner. That seems specific.

There's a lot of questions...

I have no idea. Speculation is not recommended.

 

[Hazelelponi]

I have no idea. Speculation is not recommended.

I wait for more information, always. There should be more coming on this story...

 

[JosephZ]

I wonder why they nabbed him in such a targeted manner. That seems specific.

Unfortunately, he was very naïve and made himself a target. Despite warnings and travel advisories from several western governments warning about the risks of kidnapping in the region he was abducted, he decided to live there anyway. He was also constantly posting videos on YouTube and other social media that showed his home, its surroundings, and his day to day activities which made him an easy target.

I wait for more information, always. There should be more coming on this story...

Here's an updated news report from the Philippines.

The FBI is also on the ground and investigating.

Update on the Kidnapping of Elliot Eastman in Sibuco: FBI Conducts Investigation

In a continued effort to investigate the abduction of American national Elliot Eastman, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States visited the Municipality of Sibuco today. The visit comes on the heels of the kidnapping that occurred on October 17, 2024.

The FBI’s representatives first met at the Office of the Mayor to discuss the ongoing investigation. Following this, they proceeded to the residence of Elliot Eastman’s wife in Sitio Tungawan, Barangay Poblacion, to offer support to the family and gather additional information related to the case.

 

[AlexB23]

I wait for more information, always. There should be more coming on this story...

Looks like our guy @JosephZ gave us an update. Elliot Eastman should have listened to the travel advisories, but hey, we must still pray for his safe return.

 

[7thKeeper]

Pray for the swift return of Elliot Eastman, and that he is alive and unharmed. Also pray that the perpetrators realize their mistakes, and repent of their sins.

Unfortunately the unharmed part already flew out the window. But let's hope he's found alive soon.

 

[AlexB23]

Unfortunately the unharmed part already flew out the window. But let's hope he's found alive soon.

Yeah, let's hope he is found alive soon.

 

[JosephZ]

Elliot Eastman should have listened to the travel advisories, but hey, we must still pray for his safe return.

Fortunately most people who are abducted by the Abu Sayyaf, including Americans, survive the ordeal. Hopefully that will be the case this time.

Prior to this most recent kidnapping of an American by the Abu Sayyaf, it had been more than a decade since an American has been kidnapped by this terrorist group. The most recent being Gerfa Lunsmann and her 14-year-old son Kevin on July 12, 2011 while on vacation. Gerfa Lunsmann was released after more than two months, and her son managed to escape a few months later.

Other kidnappings of Americans by the Abu Sayyaf include:

Charles Walton, a language researcher, on November 14, 1993. He was later released.

Jeffrey Schilling in August 2000. He was also released.

And on May 27, 2001, the Abu Sayyaf kidnapped three Americans and 17 Filipinos from Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan. The three Americans were Martin and Gracia Burnham who were missionaries and Guillermo Sobero, who was on vacation with his Filipino girlfriend. Gracia Burnham was rescued, but her husband Martin Burnham was killed during the rescue attempt. Guillermo Sobero was killed by the Abu Sayyaf.

 

[JosephZ]

Unfortunately the unharmed part already flew out the window. But let's hope he's found alive soon.

The fact that the victim was shot in the leg is very concerning. I hope his injury isn't too serious, because if it is, those who abducted him might decide that he is too much of a liability.

 

[AlexB23]

Fortunately most people who are abducted by the Abu Sayyaf, including Americans, survive the ordeal. Hopefully that will be the case this time.

Prior to this most recent kidnapping of an American by the Abu Sayyaf, it had been more than a decade since an American has been kidnapped by this terrorist group. The most recent being Gerfa Lunsmann and her 14-year-old son Kevin on July 12, 2011 while on vacation. Gerfa Lunsmann was released after more than two months, and her son managed to escape a few months later.

Other kidnappings of Americans by the Abu Sayyaf include:

Charles Walton, a language researcher, on November 14, 1993. He was later released.

Jeffrey Schilling in August 2000. He was also released.

And on May 27, 2001, the Abu Sayyaf kidnapped three Americans and 17 Filipinos from Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan. The three Americans were Martin and Gracia Burnham who were missionaries and Guillermo Sobero, who was on vacation with his Filipino girlfriend. Gracia Burnham was rescued, but her husband Martin Burnham was killed during the rescue attempt. Guillermo Sobero was killed by the Abu Sayyaf.

Sounds horrible. Goes to show how religious extremism is bad for our society.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Unfortunately, he was very naïve and made himself a target. Despite warnings and travel advisories from several western governments warning about the risks of kidnapping in the region he was abducted, he decided to live there anyway. He was also constantly posting videos on YouTube and other social media that showed his home, its surroundings, and his day to day activities which made him an easy target.


Here's an updated news report from the Philippines.

The FBI is also on the ground and investigating.

Update on the Kidnapping of Elliot Eastman in Sibuco: FBI Conducts Investigation

In a continued effort to investigate the abduction of American national Elliot Eastman, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States visited the Municipality of Sibuco today. The visit comes on the heels of the kidnapping that occurred on October 17, 2024.

The FBI’s representatives first met at the Office of the Mayor to discuss the ongoing investigation. Following this, they proceeded to the residence of Elliot Eastman’s wife in Sitio Tungawan, Barangay Poblacion, to offer support to the family and gather additional information related to the case.

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Super informative thank you...

 

[Hazelelponi]

Looks like our guy @JosephZ gave us an update. Elliot Eastman should have listened to the travel advisories, but hey, we must still pray for his safe return.

You are a good brother, always kind... I definitely remain in prayer for Mr. Eastman that he be safely returned very quickly, as well I join you in prayer that his captors find Jesus Christ and be saved.

 

[AlexB23]

You are a good brother, always kind... I definitely remain in prayer for Mr. Eastman that he be safely returned very quickly, as well I join you in prayer that his captors find Jesus Christ and be saved.

Thank you, it is good that we pray for Mr. Eastman, and pray for his enemies, as Jesus told us to pray for our enemies for their salvation.

 

[RileyG]

In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name, Amen and Amen.

I wonder why they nabbed him in such a targeted manner. That seems specific.

There's a lot of questions...

Amen

 

[JosephZ]

Some additional information from the Philippines.

In kidnapping of US citizen

Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, Police Regional Office 9 (PRO 9) director, said some persons of interest were named, but that they were still verifying the report “to confirm their involvement and relation to any known threat groups.”

Shot twice

According to witnesses, the kidnappers shot Eastman two times after forcibly taking him from his house near the beach.

Person Hairin, Eastman’s brother-in-law, said the American was pleading for help while being dragged on the beach by four gunmen, who posed as anti-narcotics agents, around 11 p.m. in Sitio Tungawan, a shoreline village of Barangay Poblacion.

“I was helpless because they (gunmen) pointed their guns at me. His (Eastman) legs were bloodied from gun shot,” Hairin said.

He added that the gunmen initially held him, thinking he was also a foreigner, but was released after he identified himself as a local Muslim.

Barangay Poblacion chairman Merjan Caril said the suspects used a white-colored unmarked jungkong, a motorized boat, which was waiting a few meters from Eastman’s house.

He added that Eastman was shot inside the house, when the latter resisted the gunmen.

“The victim scurried but was shot outside the house for the second time according to the family here,” Caril said, adding that they are concerned about the condition of the American.

 

[timewerx]

I live in the Philippines and Extremist Muslim groups aren't the only ones kidnapping but also organized crime groups many by the Chinese who operate in the cities. They target not just foreigners but also other Chinese and generally anyone who is rich, including children of rich families. They torture even children too. Even Filipinos who work abroad or holding dual citizenships in other countries are targeted because they have money.

Kidnappers surveil their potential victims so they don't kidnap poor people by mistake. But foreigners, expats who are returning home for vacation, dual citizenship holders are automatically regarded as rich and automatically targeted for surveillance.

Yes, it would be a good thing to minimize your online information. It's so easy nowadays to find someone's face in facebook and if you have lots pictures of your worldwide travels and exotic meals you've had, you'd make a juicy target for kidnappers.

 

[JosephZ]

American vlogger, abducted in Zambo del Norte; persons of interest, monitored by PRO-9

Elliot Onil had been cautioned due to reports of abductions in the municipality of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte and nearby towns, said Lt. Col. Helen Galvez, Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Police Office spokesperson.

Police said on Monday that Zamboanga authorities had repeatedly warned the missing American national to avoid the area.

“Perhaps, first of all, what we observed is his vulnerability. Because despite warnings from our local police that he should not stay in the area, he still insisted on staying. That area is very near the sea,” Galvez said over radio dwPM.

Galvez said Eastman’s vlogging made him vulnerable from abductors.

 

[JosephZ]

2 suspects in American national’s abduction identified

INVESTIGATORS have already identified two suspects in the abduction of an American national in Zamboanga del Norte last week, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said Monday, October 21, 2024.

In a press conference, Fajardo said one of the two identified suspects in the abduction of Elliot Eastman in Sibuco town on October 17, 2024, was among the individuals in the local police’s rogue gallery.

They are now conducting operational research to confirm whether these two persons of interests (are) associated or at least affiliated with ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) or any LTG (local terrorist group) operating in these areas,” Fajardo said.

She said investigators are also looking into all the possible motives of the abduction, noting that there is no demand yet for ransom in exchange for the victim's release as well as a proof of life.