An American national was abducted allegedly by an armed group in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte evening on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

According to the Police Regional Office-Zamboanga (PRO-9), the incident happened in Sitio Tungawan in Barangay Poblacion.

The 26-year-old victim, Elliot Onil Eastman, has been living in the province for nearly five months after he got married to a resident in the area.

Police said four men armed with M16 rifles barged into the couple’s house and allegedly introduced themselves as law enforcement officers.

The suspects allegedly shot the victim in the feet after he refused to go with them and they allegedly forced him to board a banca, which may have headed to Sulu or Basilan.

Authorities have yet to identify the group responsible for the abduction.

“We would like to clarify that, as of today, we recorded a case of alleged abduction of an American national who happened to marry a local in that area. Lumalabas sa report meron pong four armed men na dumukot sa ating biktima at hindi pa natin natutukoy yung grupo na kumuha sa kanya,” PRO-9 Spokesperson, Lt. Col. Helen Galvez, said.

Police said the victim’s family has not received any communication from the suspects, as of this writing.

“For now, wala pa tayong ransom demand. Second, na-check po natin as per record, yung victim walang malaking known business and wala pa po siyang malaking known na profession ang pagpunta niya dito sa pilipinas,” Galvez said.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

“Rest assured that your PNP, at the same time, lahat po ng kasama natin sa area ginagawa po lahat. We are on top of the situation. This incident in Sibuco will not affect the general peace and order in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula,” Galvez added.

The US Embassy has been informed about the situation.