Abducted American content creator Elliot Eastman mentions about receiving threats in a video he posted in September
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines – Elliot Eastman, the 26-year-old American content creator who was abducted in Zamboanga del Norte province, came to the Philippines with a heart full of conflict. His life has been a whirlwind of emotions, passion, and ultimately, peril.
Drawn to the woman he loved, yet aware of the dangers that lurked, Eastman found himself entangled in a life far more complicated than he had anticipated. His story took a harrowing turn on Thursday, October 17, when he was abducted by armed men in the remote coastal town of Sibuco.
Eastman, who hails from Vermont, United States, had been documenting his life in the Philippines through vlogs, where he shared candid reflections on his relationships, struggles, and fears. His videos revealed strained family ties, particularly with his father, and a strong bond with his grandparents. His mother remained conspicuously absent from his stories.
His time in the Philippines had not been without heartbreak. A failed romance in Zamboanga City left him shaken and crushed. He was scammed, according to former mayor Norbideiri Edding in an earlier interview.
But Eastman soon found new love in Sibuco town where he married Karisha, a local woman, after converting to Islam and adopting the name Muhammad. The two wed in a traditional Sama ceremony about five months ago, and Eastman seemed, at least for a time, to have found some peace.
In his last few videos on YouTube before his abduction, Eastman hinted at a growing unease. He admitted to having sleepless nights, acknowledging the dangers of living in Zamboanga del Norte in the southern Philippines.
The place where he was can be scary, he said in a video posted in September. He also spoke about receiving threats, although he was vague about the source.
Just a week before his abduction, on October 10, Eastman posted a video in which he expressed happiness with his new life. He spoke about simple pleasures – like eating sardines with eggs – and the joy of having found his wife in the Philippines.
But beneath the surface of his optimism was growing concern about his finances. He said he spent quite a lot, some P130,000 in Starlink internet equipment and solar panels, and another P15,000 to build a sari-sari store for Karisha’s family.
“I’m concerned because I’m investing all of my money here,” he confessed, standing in front of the store that faced the waters of Tungawan in Sibuco town.
Then came the abduction seven days later. Four men, posing as policemen, arrived at Eastman’s home. When he resisted, they shot him in the leg before taking him away, according to the local police.
Authorities, now days into their search, remain without clues or proof of life.
The nature of a past relationship remained part of the inquiry, as authorities piece together the circumstances surrounding Eastman’s disappearance. There has been talk about a likely connection between Eastman’s abduction and his marriage, with residents saying the woman was previously involved with a Sama Sibuco indigenous man, who supposedly wanted her back.
Brigadier General Romeo Juan Macapaz, head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said on Monday, October 21, investigators were groping in the dark because there’s no ransom demand, and no claim of responsibility.
Police did not rule out the possibility of involvement by the dreaded Abu Sayyaf, a group of extremists with a long history of being involved in the abduction of foreigners.
The government said the Abu Sayyaf, which once turned Basilan and Sulu as its strongholds, was already a spent force.
Basilan Governor Jim Salliman said on Monday there was no sign that Eastman was brought to his province by the abductors, but added that military forces and local militia were on high alert. – Rappler.com
