The Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 9 confirmed the reports on the abduction of an American national that occurred on Thursday, October 17 at Zamboanga del Norte.
According to reports, four armed men presented themselves as law enforcement officers and forcibly took the 26-year-old foreigner from his residence in Barangay Poblacion, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.
The American national was identified by authorities as Elliot Onil Eastman. He is married to a local and had been living in the said barangay for five months prior to the incident.
Operatives noted that the victim was shot in the leg after resisted, and was taken aboard a boat heading towards the high seas.
“We have already activated all available resources to address the situation. The Anti-Kidnapping Unit 9, along with a team from PRO 9 and the Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office, are fully engaged in this case,” they said in a statement.
“Personnel from the Sibuco Municipal Police Station, the Marines, the Provincial Mobile Force Company, and other units are working closely together to conduct a hot pursuit operation. We are coordinating fully with other law enforcement agencies, AFP Counterparts and local authorities to ensure the swift resolution of this case,” they added.
The Zamboanga Police assured that they are doing everything in their power to secure the safe recovery of the victim. Additionally, they asked for the public's cooperation and urged those with information on the matter to come forward immediately.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines said that they are aware of reports of the kidnapping incident in Zamboanga.
