US coordinating with PH amid reports of YouTuber's death in Zamboanga

Metro Manila, Philippines — The United States embassy is coordinating with authorities in light of reports that an American YouTuber abducted in Zamboanga was shot dead, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“We have no greater priority than the safety and security of US citizens in the Philippines,” the US embassy in Manila said in a statement to reporters.

“We are aware of the reports regarding the case of Mr. (Elliot) Eastman. We are coordinating with local authorities,” it added.

Lt. Col. Ramoncelio Sawan, acting information officer of the Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), said Elliot was fatally shot by his abductors on Oct. 17.

“In the course of the investigation, the Critical Incident Management Task Group ‘Eastman’ obtained information from a witness about the untimely death of Eastman on the night of his abduction,” Sawan said in a Philippine News Agency report.

The witness revealed that Elliot suffered two gunshot wounds before his body was thrown overboard.

The PNP said efforts to apprehend the suspects are ongoing.