Philippine authorities are investigating the reported abduction of an American citizen in the southern province of Zamboanga del Norte, where he was shot in the leg while resisting the assailants, The Associated Press reports.
The incident has raised concerns about the ongoing security challenges in the region, a historic hotbed of separatist movements and criminal activity.
Police in Sibuco town confirmed the abduction of Elliot Onil Eastman, 26, from Vermont, on Thursday night. According to police reports, four armed men, disguised as police officers, forced Eastman into a speedboat after he attempted to escape. One of the assailants reportedly shot Eastman in the leg before fleeing towards the provinces of Basilan or Sulu.
Police launched a pursuit, but the abductors and victim remain missing. The regional police have assured the public that they are doing everything possible to secure Eastman’s safe return.
A Facebook account believed to belong to a man with a similar name to Eastman features photos and videos indicating that he had married a Muslim woman in Sibuco.
While the US Embassy in Manila has not yet commented on the incident, the abduction is a concerning reminder of the security challenges that have long plagued the southern Philippines.
Despite a 2014 peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest Muslim separatist group, smaller armed groups, such as the notorious Abu Sayyaf group, have continued to operate in the region.
The Abu Sayyaf group, designated as a terrorist organization by the US and the Philippines, is responsible for numerous kidnappings for ransom, beheadings, and bombings over the past decades. They have targeted Western tourists and religious missionaries, many of whom were released after ransoms were paid.
The abduction of Eastman comes at a time when the Philippines is preparing for mid-term elections next year. Historically, crimes, including kidnappings and extortion, have escalated in the south during election season as candidates attempt to raise funds. However, in recent years, such incidents have been relatively infrequent.
