AUTHORITIES are continuing their efforts to locate the body of American vlogger Elliot Eastman, who reportedly died of gunshot wounds shortly after his October 17 abduction in Zamboanga del Norte.
During the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing yesterday, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the PNP and the Armed Forces are leading the drive.
Police earlier said a witness reported in October that someone told him that Eastman died on the same night he was abducted in Sibuco town.
Eastman was shot and injured in the abdomen and leg by the suspects after resisting the kidnapping. The suspects later took him to their speedboat and fled.
The witness said the kidnappers noticed Eastman was already dead while they were still at sea and threw his body into the waters in Zamboanga City.
Police treated the information as hearsay, noting that it was not validated.
In November, one of the suspects in the custody of the PNP corroborated the statement of the witness. The suspect executed an affidavit narrating Eatman’s death.
“Based on the testimonies of the suspect and witness, we have a belief that Eastman is already dead,” said Fajardo, adding the PNP has not received any information on the victim’s whereabouts since his abduction.
“Based on the testimonies of the witness and suspect, on the day he was kidnapped, he was shot in the abdomen and leg, causing his death while onboard a boat that the suspects used in their escape. And since he is already dead, they (suspects) threw him (into the sea)” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said the PNP and the AFP will not stop until they can recover the body of Eastman.
“The PNP and the AFP are searching the area where the body of Eastman was possibly thrown,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said the family of Eastman and the US embassy have been informed about the development.
“We will not stop until (Eastman’s body is recovered),” said Fajardo, adding they are having difficulty in locating Eastman’s body because the area where he was (supposedly) thrown was too deep.
“We are not losing hope that we will be able to find the body of Eastman but this is indeed sad news from the Police Regional Office IX (Zamboanga Peninsula),” added Fajardo.
Fajardo said the initial investigation said this was a case of kidnapping for ransom.
“But because of the unfortunate event, Eastman resisted and he was shot, they (suspects) decided to throw him into the sea because he was already dead,” said Fajardo.
“Since his abduction, we did not receive any demand for ransom because he was already dead,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said operations are still underway to arrest four suspects, including the mastermind, in the kidnapping and killing of Eastman.
She said some of the suspects have standing arrest warrants for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
