P100,000 reward up for info on missing US vlogger in Zamboanga

Missing American vlogger Elliot Onil Eastman —PHOTOFROM FACEBOOK POST OF MUDZNA ALI

MANILA, Philippines – Police Regional Office 9 (PRO9) on Tuesday has put up a P100,000 reward for any information that would lead to the safe recovery of a missing United States citizen.

On October 17, local police received a report that four armed men posing as law enforcement officers forcibly took American vlogger Elliot Onil Eastman from his home in Sibuco town in Zamboanga del Norte province.

READ: Armed men abduct American in Zamboanga del Norte

They added that the suspects shot Eastman in the leg when he tried to resist and was taken to sea on a getaway boat.

PRO9 said it was also putting up P50,000 for information that would lead to the location of the boat used by kidnappers.

A crisis incident management task group has been formed and is working with the military and local government units in pursuit operations to locate and recover Eastman.

Officials previously said they have yet to receive proof of life for the victim.

READ: FBI joins search for American abducted in Zamboanga del Norte town

Regional police previously said it warned Eastman, who hails from the US state of Vermont and is married to a Filipina, of abductions in Sibuco and nearby areas.

READ: Missing US vlogger repeatedly warned to avoid Zamboanga area – police

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has since joined the search for Eastman.