The Philippine National Police (PNP) believes that the American vlogger Elliott Eastman abducted in Zamboanga del Norte last October is already dead, based on the testimonies of witnesses and a suspect in the case.
A witness earlier claimed that Eastman lost a significant amount of blood after sustaining gunshot wounds to his thigh and abdomen.
''Kinonfirm po nila na patay na, patay po si Eastman. Lumalabas po na noong hapon po na siya po ay in-abduct po, dalawa po ang naging tama nito, sa hita po at sa may tiyan,'' PNP spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing on Thursday.
It was previously reported that the kidnappers transported the foreigner aboard a banca and allegedly threw him into the sea upon realizing he was no longer alive and breathing.
Moreover, one of the arrested suspects had earlier confirmed that Eastman was already dead.
While expressing their condolences, Fajardo assured that the police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue their efforts to locate evidence of the foreigner's remains.
Meanwhile, three suspected persons of interest in the foreigner’s kidnapping were killed by the military in a clash last month.
Authorities suspect the three to have participated in kidnapping, extortion, theft, and the massacres that occurred in 2015 and 2016.
