The Philippine National Police announced Friday that they have launched an operation to locate an American citizen who was reportedly abducted by armed assailants in the southern Philippines.
The victim, identified as 26-year-old Elliot Onil Eastman from Vermont, was shot in the leg while resisting before being taken away by speedboat from a coastal town in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.
If this is confirmed as a kidnapping for ransom, it underscores the persistent security challenges plaguing the southern region, home to a Muslim minority in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
According to local police, who were alerted to the incident on Thursday night, Eastman was forcibly taken by four men in black clothing who were carrying M16 rifles and claimed to be law enforcement officers.
“We confirm that there was a report of the alleged abduction of an American national,” the regional police said in a statement. “We want to assure the public, particularly the community of Sibuco, that we are doing everything in our power to secure the safe recovery of the victim.”
The armed men, after a struggle during which Eastman was shot in the leg, dragged him into a speedboat and headed south, possibly toward the provinces of Basilan or Sulu.
Efforts by the police to give chase proved unsuccessful, but they have since alerted other law enforcement and marine units in the area.
In their statement, regional police officials confirmed receiving reports of Eastman’s abduction, assuring the public that they are doing everything in their power to rescue him.
They also urged anyone with information to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
Police reports seen by The Associated Press detail that a local resident, Abdulmali Hamsiran Jala, reported the incident, stating that the gunmen shot Eastman before fleeing by sea.
Although no official background details about Eastman have been provided, a person with a similar name had shared on Facebook about marrying a Muslim woman in Sibuco, possibly linking him to the region.
So far, the U.S. Embassy in Manila has not responded to inquiries regarding the abduction.
The southern Philippines, despite its rich natural resources, continues to grapple with widespread poverty and the presence of insurgent and criminal groups.
While a 2014 peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has greatly reduced large-scale conflicts, smaller groups such as Abu Sayyaf, known for kidnappings and extremist violence, remain active, albeit weakened by military efforts.
Abu Sayyaf, recognized as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the Philippines, has been responsible for a series of high-profile kidnappings, particularly targeting Western nationals.
In the early 2000s, the group made headlines for its brutal acts, including the beheading of an American and the killing of a U.S. missionary during a failed rescue operation in the nearby Sirawai town.
With mid-term elections approaching in 2025, authorities are on high alert. In previous election cycles, incidents of kidnapping and extortion surged, driven by political figures seeking to finance their campaigns.
However, officials have noted a decrease in such activities in recent years, with only isolated cases being reported.
