In brief
Authorities in the Philippines have concluded that 26-year-old Elliot Eastman, kidnapped in October while living in Mindanao, is presumed dead, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, with testimonies leading investigators to believe Eastman was likely killed on the day of his abduction.
On October 17, Eastman, originally from Vermont, was forcibly taken from his home in Sibuco by men posing as police officers. They shot him twice—once in the leg and again in the stomach—before escaping by boat. While his body remains unfound, the police suspect the kidnappers disposed of it in the sea after his death.Living in the Philippines since May, Eastman chronicled his experiences on social media, sharing his life as the "first and only foreigner" to reside in Sibuco. His father-in-law, AbdulMali Hamsiran Jala, reported the kidnapping to authorities, and Eastman's struggle against his captors was noted during the incident.The frequency of kidnappings in the Mindanao region has declined over the past ten years, although authorities continue to warn foreign nationals about potential dangers, as insurgent groups have historically been behind such criminal activities. Claire Moses covers breaking news for PulseWire News.
