American YouTuber reportedly kidnapped in Philippines by men posing as police

As a gamer with a passion for adventure and a soft spot for intrepid travelers like myself, I was deeply saddened to hear about Elliot Eastman’s ordeal in the Philippines. Having spent countless hours exploring virtual worlds, I can only imagine the real-life challenges he faced in his adopted home of Sibuco.


It’s been reported that American YouTube personality, Elliot Eastman, was allegedly seized by a group who pretended to be Philippine law enforcement officials.

On Thursday, October 17, in the coastal town of Sibuco, a group of vigilantes, it seems, confronted a 26-year-old YouTuber with firearms that resembled machine guns.

Testimonies suggest that Eastman suffered a gunshot wound to his leg prior to being reportedly transported on a white speedboat, which was located near the tiny settlement that was his last known location.

According to local resident Abdulmali Hamsiran Jala, Eastman attempted to flee the assault, yet he couldn’t manage because of his gunshot injury and being significantly outmatched in numbers by the assailants.

It seems that authorities allegedly pursued both the suspects and the YouTuber, yet they couldn’t locate them. Subsequently, marine forces and extra law enforcement officers were dispatched to search for Eastman.

As a gamer putting on my detective hat for a moment, I’ve got some troubling news to share. I’ve heard through reliable sources that there’s been a report suggesting the mysterious disappearance of an American citizen, according to local authorities. Keep your eyes peeled and fingers crossed for more updates on this developing situation.

Rest assured, Sibuco community, we’re putting our utmost effort into ensuring a safe rescue for the individual involved.

Approximately one and a half years ago, Eastman, who hails from Vermont, relocated to the Philippines. His YouTube profile chronicles his experiences: “I encountered the person I fell in love with in the heart of the Philippines’ red zone. Zamboanga del Norte is a relatively new part of the Philippines that was previously only reachable by boat,” he shared.

Over an extended stay, I’ll share with you the ordinary routine I follow living as the first and only known foreigner who has resided for a significant duration in Sibuco.

During a live broadcast on Facebook on the 22nd of September, weeks prior to his reported kidnapping, Eastman expressed apprehensions about his life potentially being in danger in Sibuco.

He mentioned, “So long as I remain here, my life continues to be in danger, you understand. That’s the unfortunate truth. The place where I currently reside is far from safe, not just within the Philippines.

Speaking from personal experience, there have been moments when fear has crept in, especially during those quiet nights. However, I’ve noticed things are improving. Previously, I struggled with insomnia, finding it tough to catch those elusive winks during the wee hours of the night.

At the time of writing, Lieutenant-Colonel Helen Galvez said, “So far, no one is asking for ransom.”

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2024-10-18 23:48