MANILA, Philippines – The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines is aware of reports that an American was kidnapped by gunmen near a military outpost in Sibuco town, Zamboanga del Norte last Thursday night (Oct. 17).
In a message to reporters, the U.S. Embassy said that they are now coordinating with local authorities regarding the kidnapping incident.
“Thank you, media friends. We are aware of the reports and are coordinating with local authorities,” a spokesperson of the Embassy said.
“We generally do not comment on reports of potential kidnappings while investigations are ongoing. The Department of State has no greater priority than the welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad,” the Embassy added.
In a report by DZRH reporter Jun Dimacutac, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9) confirmed the kidnapping, saying it happened at 11 o’clock in the evening in Sibuco town.
The victim, identified by authorities as 26-year-old Elliot Onil Eastman, was inside his house when he was forcibly taken by four armed men posing as law enforcement officers.
Eastman, who is married to a local and living in Barangay Poblacion for five months, was shot in the leg after resisting, then was transported using a motorboat, the police report said.
In a press conference early Friday, PRO-9 Director Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding said that they have “activated all available resources to address the situation.”
He added that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit-9, PRO-9 and Zamboanga del Norte Police are “fully engaged in the search and rescue operation.”
Masauding said the local police, Philippine Marines, and the Provincial Mobile Force Company are conducting a hot pursuit in full coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The police official also appealed to the public for any information that could assist in the rescue of Eastman, assuring that all tips would be handled confidentially.
