Summary
According to Eastman’s YouTube bio, he moved to the province of Zamboanga Del Norte in Mindanao a year and a half ago, where he eventually met his wife in the municipality of Sibuco. Most of Eastman’s vlogs show his positive experiences in the province, but in hisYouTube streamslast September, he talked about people disliking him and that his life might be at risk because he’s allegedly receiving threats.
On October 17, Eastman was reportedly abducted from his home in Sibuco, Zamboanga Del Norte by armed assailants allegedly acting as police. According tolocal reports, the YouTuber tried to resist and was non-fatally shot before he was loaded onto a boat and taken away. Police said that they are actively tracking down Eastman’s whereabouts and have already identified persons of interest, but are still investigating further to find the leader of the kidnapping crew. Overall, local authorities are trying their best to get Eastman back home safely. The Anti-Kidnapping Group in Mindanao is also in close contact with Eastman’s family and wife, who confirmed that they haven’t heard from him since the incident.
YouTuber Elliot Eastman Kidnapped
In aRappler report, citizens of Sibuco commented on Eastman’s abduction, saying that they thought the days of kidnapping in their area were over. The region of Mindanao has seen decades of insurgency and armed conflict, which is why many people consider some provinces dangerous. The Zamboanga Peninsula, in particular, is reportedly known as “a haven for kidnappers and other lawlessness,” and the local government has been working to erase the stigma. However, it’s important to note that Eastman’s abduction has not been confirmed as an act done by insurgents or terrorists. This wouldn’t be the first time that the YouTube community heard about news of content creators getting kidnapped in foreign countries, with the likes ofYourFellowArab making headlines after being kidnapped in Haiti.
Content Creators' Safety is at Risk
Many content creators have shared troubling stories about their safety being at risk, with a good number of them even documenting their harrowing experiences. Last month,FaZe Clan’s streamers were swattedduring their subathon, where thousands of viewers witnessed the moment when the police arrived at their mansion. There have also been cases wherein creators have been attacked while filming.
The public persona of many content creators and streamers have also made them easy targets for people to go after them. It’s come to a point that some are protecting themselves with heightened security andself-defense weapons.
