6-12-2024 (MANILA) Philippine authorities have announced that an American citizen kidnapped from his residence in Mindanao is presumed dead, marking a tragic turn in a case that has gripped the nation’s southern region.
Senior law enforcement officials revealed today that Elliot Eastman, who was forcibly taken from his home on 17 October, is believed to have succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during his attempted escape from captors in Sibuco municipality.
Acting Regional Police Spokesperson Lt Col Ramoncelio Sawan disclosed that breakthrough testimony from both an arrested suspect and a witness suggests Eastman perished during the boat journey following his abduction. “Information from our sources indicates the victim had already expired from his injuries whilst being transported by sea, prompting the perpetrators to dispose of his remains overboard,” Sawan told reporters.
Approximately ten individuals are believed to have orchestrated the kidnapping, though investigators have found no apparent links to known insurgent groups that have historically plagued the region with ransom-motivated abductions. Notably, no ransom demands were ever received by authorities, lending credence to the theory of Eastman’s early demise.
A significant breakthrough came in November with the arrest of one suspect, who has since provided a sworn statement to prosecutors confirming the American’s death. The testimony was corroborated by a witness related to one of the alleged perpetrators.
Maritime units have been mobilised along the coastline to search for any trace of Eastman’s remains, though authorities maintain a thread of hope despite the mounting evidence of his death. “Whilst current intelligence points to the worst possible outcome, we continue to exhaust all avenues of investigation,” Sawan stated.
The US Embassy in Manila has acknowledged the reports and confirmed ongoing cooperation with Philippine law enforcement agencies. The motive behind the kidnapping remains unclear, as investigations continue to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects.
