American Kidnapped In Zamboanga Del Norte

[GeoffH]

A white man body has been found in the water in 'southern' Mindanao, said to have been there several days and appears to have head injuries.

No identification as of now.

[Lee]

YouTube vid that talks about the washed up body.

Vid is extremely graphic---you have been warned.

 

 

[Lee]

 

American’s love story takes a dark turn in Zamboanga del Norte

 

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ZAMBOANGA, Philippines – Elliot Eastman, the 26-year-old American content creator who was abducted in Zamboanga del Norte province, came to the Philippines with a heart full of conflict. His life has been a whirlwind of emotions, passion, and ultimately, peril. 

Drawn to the woman he loved, yet aware of the dangers that lurked, Eastman found himself entangled in a life far more complicated than he had anticipated. His story took a harrowing turn on Thursday, October 17, when he was abducted by armed men in the remote coastal town of Sibuco.

Eastman, who hails from Vermont, United States, had been documenting his life in the Philippines through vlogs, where he shared candid reflections on his relationships, struggles, and fears. His videos revealed strained family ties, particularly with his father, and a strong bond with his grandparents. His mother remained conspicuously absent from his stories.

His time in the Philippines had not been without heartbreak. A failed romance in Zamboanga City left him shaken and crushed. He was scammed, according to former mayor Norbideiri Edding in an earlier interview.

'He said that if we prayed for him, he is sure to get better. I pray for him every day. On my next payday, I will pay for a novena for him. What else can I do? '

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But Eastman soon found new love in Sibuco town where he married Karisha, a local woman, after converting to Islam and adopting the name Muhammad. The two wed in a traditional Sama ceremony about five months ago, and Eastman seemed, at least for a time, to have found some peace.

In his last few videos on YouTube before his abduction, Eastman hinted at a growing unease. He admitted to having sleepless nights, acknowledging the dangers of living in Zamboanga del Norte in the southern Philippines. 

The place where he was can be scary, he said in a video posted in September. He also spoke about receiving threats, although he was vague about the source.

Just a week before his abduction, on October 10, Eastman posted a video in which he expressed happiness with his new life. He spoke about simple pleasures – like eating sardines with eggs – and the joy of having found his wife in the Philippines. 

But beneath the surface of his optimism was growing concern about his finances. He said he spent quite a lot, some P130,000 in Starlink internet equipment and solar panels, and another P15,000 to build a sari-sari store for Karisha’s family.

“I’m concerned because I’m investing all of my money here,” he confessed, standing in front of the store that faced the waters of Tungawan in Sibuco town. 

Then came the abduction seven days later. Four men, posing as policemen, arrived at Eastman’s home. When he resisted, they shot him in the leg before taking him away, according to the local police. 

Authorities, now days into their search, remain without clues or proof of life.

The nature of a past relationship remained part of the inquiry, as authorities piece together the circumstances surrounding Eastman’s disappearance. There has been talk about a likely connection between Eastman’s abduction and his marriage, with residents saying the woman was previously involved with a Sama Sibuco indigenous man, who supposedly wanted her back.

Brigadier General Romeo Juan Macapaz, head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said on Monday, October 21, investigators were groping in the dark because there’s no ransom demand, and no claim of responsibility.

Police did not rule out the possibility of involvement by the dreaded Abu Sayyaf, a group of extremists with a long history of being involved in the abduction of foreigners.

The government said the Abu Sayyaf, which once turned Basilan and Sulu as its strongholds, was already a spent force.

Basilan Governor Jim Salliman said on Monday there was no sign that Eastman was brought to his province by the abductors, but added that military forces and local militia were on high alert. – Rappler.com

 

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/abducted-american-elliot-eastman-love-story-takes-dark-turn-zamboanga-del-norte/

[Lee]

PNP widens search for kidnapped American

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/10/26/2395319/pnp-widens-search-kidnapped-american

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ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —  The police and military have expanded the search for Elliot Onil Eastman outside the Zamboanga peninsula, a week after the American was kidnapped in Sibuco town.

Lt. Col. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office 9 (PRO) spokesperson, said authorities are already in custody of several persons of interest.

“We are not ceasing in locating the victim and the abductors. For now, we already have the suspects (who) are providing leads to our forces in the rescue operations,” Galvez said.

She added that the “rescue operation is being conducted in the general area of Zamboanga peninsula.”

“We have also crossed borders, to places our intelligence units pinpointed in the report,” Galvez noted.

Eastman, 26, is a native of US state Vermont and is married to a Filipina.

He was shot twice in the leg when he was kidnapped on Oct. 18 by four gunmen who posed as anti-narcotics police in Sitio Tungawan, Barangay Poblacion, Sibuco.

According to Galvez, authorities believe that Eastman is still alive as there has been no sighting of an abandoned body in the places searched in the past days.  (Despite what a recent YouTube video has suggested)

“All the efforts are being exerted by the police and our counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We believe he is alive. We have no proof that his body was dumped in any place. We are searching… and targeting the places intelligence provided us in their report,” Galvez said.

She said security officers have not intercepted any call either from Eastman or the kidnappers.

“Anti-Kidnapping Group personnel are on board in the area to monitor if there is already communication. Both here in Sibuco or in the US, there has been no signal of any contact for any demand,” Galvez told local radio X-FM.

She added that the police and military would continue tracking operations until they find Eastman.

Earlier, the local government and the 3rd congressional district of Zamboanga del Norte raised P500,000 as reward for anyone who could provide information on the location of the “jungkong” boat used during the kidnapping and the location of Eastman and his kidnappers.     

 

                         

[scott h]

49 minutes ago, Lee said:

locating the victim

I saw a story the other day about a body of a white man had washed up on the beach. It wasn't him?

[Joey G]

I'm about as surprised with this story as the sun coming up tomorrow. Sorry for the guy.... sorry for his family... but the ending of this story is predictable.

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

2 hours ago, Lee said:

According to Galvez, authorities believe that Eastman is still alive as there has been no sighting of an abandoned body in the places searched in the past days.  (Despite what a recent YouTube video has suggested)

I saw that video.  Are they saying it was faked?  Or maybe AI?  Looked pretty real to me.

[Possum]

4 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

I saw that video.  Are they saying it was faked?  Or maybe AI?  Looked pretty real to me.

They are now saying it's a local killed in a family feud not Eastman

[Lee]

PNP nabs 3 suspects in kidnapping of American in Zamboanga del Norte

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MANILA, Philippines — Three suspects linked to the abduction of a 26-year-old American citizen in Zamboanga del Norte on October 17 are already under police custody.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said she received the update on Elliot Onil Eastman’s case from the regional director of Zamboanga Peninsula on Tuesday.

“Last October 27, one of the persons of interest sent surrender feelers. And yesterday, I was informed by the regional director that three suspects are already under their custody,” she disclosed in Filipino in an interview over Radyo 630.

“We will know later if they already filed a case of kidnapping against the three suspects under custody and three others that are still at large,” she added.

On Monday, the PNP official said they are still conducting lookout operations to locate Eastman, adding that they have yet to find a “proof of life.”

She also opted not to provide any details on the identities of the persons of interest as the investigation is still ongoing.

Based on previous reports, four armed men who posed as police officers reportedly abducted Eastman from his home and shot him in the leg when he tried to resist.

He was taken into a getaway boat that headed out to sea.

 

Read more: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/253946/pnp-nabs-3-suspects-in-kidnapping-of-american-in-zamboanga-del-norte#ixzz8q7946edS
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[Old55]

Still hopping he may soon be found alive.