Key points
- Elliot Eastman, a YouTuber, has reportedly been kidnapped in the Philippines.
- The province where Eastman resides has a history of kidnappings.
- Content creators globally are facing security risks, with some adopting enhanced security measures.
YouTube Content creator Elliot Eastman has reportedly been kidnapped in the Philippines. The 26-year-old is a small-time YouTube creator with over 1,9k subscribers, who mostly vlogs and streams his experiences of living in the Philippines as an American.
According to Eastman's YouTube bio, he moved to Zamboanga Del Norte province in Mindanao a year and a half ago, where he met his wife in Sibuco municipality. Most of Eastman's vlogs feature his positive experiences in the province, but in his YouTube streams last September he talked about people hating him and that his life may be at risk because he allegedly receives threats.
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On October 17, Eastman was reportedly abducted from his home in Sibuco, Zamboanga Del Norte, by armed assailants allegedly acting as police. According to local reports, the YouTuber attempted to resist and was non-fatally shot before being put on a boat and taken away. Police said they are actively searching for Eastman's whereabouts and have already identified persons of interest, but are still investigating further to find the leader of the kidnapping team. Overall, local authorities are doing their best to bring Eastman home safely. The Mindanao Anti-Kidnapping Group is also in close contact with Eastman's family and wife, who confirmed they have not heard from him since the incident.
YouTuber Elliot Eastman kidnapped
In a Rappler report, citizens of Sibuco commented on Eastman's kidnapping, saying they thought the days of kidnappings in their area were over. The Mindanao region is the site of 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 forms of lawlessness” and the local government has worked to erase this stigma. However, it is important to note that Eastman's kidnapping has not been confirmed as an act carried out by insurgents or terrorists. This wouldn't be the first time the YouTube community has heard of reports of content creators being kidnapped in foreign countries, with the likes of YourFellowArab making headlines after being kidnapped in Haiti.
The safety of content creators is at risk
Many content creators have shared troubling stories about their safety being at risk, and a good number of them have even documented their own harrowing experiences. Last month, FaZe Clan streamers were crushed during their subathon, where thousands of viewers witnessed the moment the police arrived at their mansion. There have also been cases where the creators were attacked during filming.
The public persona of many content creators and streamers has also made them easy targets for people pursuing them. It has gotten to the point that some are protecting themselves with enhanced security and self-defense weapons.