American resident shot and kidnapped in Southern Philippines

This image shows a gun REUTERS-Yonhap — This image shows a gun. Reuters-Yonhap

SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - An American resident, Elliott O'Neal Eastman, 26, was shot and kidnapped on Oct. 17 in Sibutu City, Zamboanga Peninsula, southern Philippines. According to Eastman's Filipino father-in-law, four armed men in black clothes and masks, claiming to be police officers, entered Eastman's home and attempted to abduct him. When Eastman tried to escape, he was shot in the leg before being taken away by boat.

Philippine authorities are investigating the incident and searching for Eastman and his captors, who are believed to have fled south by sea. Eastman, who married a local Muslim woman last year, had been living in the area since May and shared his experiences as a foreigner in Mindanao through YouTube videos.

The southern Philippines, particularly Mindanao Island, is known for its security challenges due to the presence of Islamic separatist groups like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and ISIS-affiliated Abu Sayyaf. The region has a history of kidnappings and violence against foreigners, especially in the 2010s.

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