American vlogger in the Philippines missing and accepted dead

American vlogger in the Philippines missing and accepted dead

An American man who was kidnapped in the Philippines is thought dead after a witness stated that he was shot with his kidnappers during a fight, the Philippine News Agency news agency reported citing the police.

Details for kidnapping and the victim

Elliot Eastman, originally from Vermont, was kidnapped on October 17 near his residence in Sibuco on the island of Mindanao, where he lived with his wife and regularly shared videos about his life on YouTube.

statements by the police spokesman

The spokesman for the regional police, Lt. Col. Ramoncelio Sawan said on Thursday that the witness reported that Eastman was shot twice on the night of his kidnapping, while they brought him away from the crime scene.

difficult investigations

"We are forced to believe that he has died. All information we have indicated that," said Sawan, according to Associated Press. The police are currently trying to review the testimony, but has not yet found Eastman's body that the witness was thrown overboard.

justice for the victim

Sawan assured that they want to hold the perpetrators accountable to ensure the security of the foreigners living in the area. As part of their investigation, the police have already made several arrests; Three suspects were killed in a shot with the police last month, according to the Associated Press.

background to the region

Sibuco is located in the western region of mindanao Countries that are inhabited by several Islamist uprising groups and has long been a hotspot for uprisings in a country with a predominantly Catholic population.

Security warnings of the US State Department

The US government advises citizens to rethink their trips to Mindanao due to the risk of "crime, terrorism, social unrest and kidnapping".