The police in the Philippines announced on Friday that they have initiated a search operation following the abduction of an American citizen who was reportedly shot in the leg while attempting to resist his captors. The incident took place in a coastal town in the southern part of the country, specifically Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte, where speedboat assailants took the victim away.
Authorities identified the abducted individual as Elliot Onil Eastman, 26, originally from Vermont. The abduction reportedly occurred on Thursday night. In a statement, the regional police confirmed the incident and assured the local community that efforts are being made to ensure the safe return of Eastman. They also encouraged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the ongoing investigation.
According to two police documents, a local resident named Abdulmali Hamsiran Jala informed law enforcement that four armed men in black attire, who claimed to be police officers, forcefully seized Eastman as he tried to escape. The reports indicate that one of the assailants shot him in the leg before dragging him onto a speedboat and fleeing southward towards the provinces of Basilan or Sulu. Although police attempted to follow the suspects, they were unable to locate Eastman or his abductors and subsequently informed other police units and Philippine marine forces in the area.
While details about Eastman’s background are currently limited, there are social media posts from an individual with a similar name, claiming to have married a Muslim woman in Sibuco. The U.S. Embassy in Manila has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the alleged abduction.
Notably, the region has a history of kidnappings, particularly by the infamous Abu Sayyaf group, which has engaged in ransom abductions for over twenty years. This group targeted foreigners, including Americans and Western missionaries, often leading to ransoms for their release, while there were also several tragic incidents resulting in the killings of captive individuals.
Recent military and police campaigns have significantly diminished the capabilities of the Abu Sayyaf group, which is designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the Philippines. Consequently, incidents of kidnappings for ransom have declined in recent years.
Looking ahead, the Philippines is gearing up for mid-term elections, which will fill over 18,000 local and national positions next year. As has been the trend in the past, crime spikes, including kidnappings, are anticipated in the volatile southern regions, as rogue politicians seek funds to support their electoral candidacies.