Elliot Eastman Youtube Channel

MANILA — The Philippine National Police in Zamboanga on Friday admitted it would have a hard time recovering the remains of American vlogger Elliot Eastman after one of his alleged abductors confirmed that his body was thrown to the sea. 

Abducted American vlogger believed dead — police

The police on Thursday said that according to the suspect, Eastman perished in the same night he was abducted. His body was thrown overboard in the high seas of Labuan, Zamboanga City while the abductors were escaping Sibuco town in the night of October 17, 2024.

Police Regional Office 9 spokesperson Col. Ramoncelio Sawan said considering the depth and width of the sea and the number of typhoons that hit the region since October, it would be nearly impossible to find any signs of the victim's remains.

3 'gang members' arrested over abduction of American vlogger

"Right now po, it's really hard to tell kung saan at kelan natin mahanap kung meron pa. Kasi po, yung pinaghulugan ng katawan niya is sabi nila, is far from the shoreline tapos the depth of the location aabot sa 900 meters tapos unfortunately nadaanan pa tayo ng recent series ng bagyo. Although mahirap, sinusubukan pa rin nilang hanapin,"Sawan said.

Eastman, 26, was staying with his wife in Barangay Poblacion, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte when he was held hostage by a group of armed men. He sustained 2 gunshot wounds while trying to resist his captors. 

Sawan assured that there will be no let up in its operation to find the perpetrators.

The US Embassy said it was coordinating with local authorities on Eastman's case. 

"We have no greater priority than the safety and security of US citizens in the Philippines," it said. 

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