An American man documenting his life in the Philippines was shot in the leg and abducted by a group of gunman dressed up as police officers, according to local authorities.

Four armed men shot and kidnapped a 26-year-old from Vermont from western Mindanao, the police said. He had been living in the area since May.

Philippines Police have started a search operation following the reported abduction of American national, Elliot Onil Eastman.

Elliot Onil Eastman, an American from Vermont, was allegedly kidnapped in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, after being shot.

MANILA: Gunmen have abducted an American man living in the southern Philippines, shooting him in the leg and ferrying him away in a boat, police said on Friday (Oct 18). The victim, named by police as Elliot Onil Eastman,

A search was under way in the Philippines yesterday after gunmen reportedly abducted an American national, who was shot in the leg as he tried to resist before being spirited away from a southern coastal town by speedboat, Philippine police said.

The Philippine police said Friday it has launched a search after gunmen reportedly abducted an American national, who was shot in the leg as he tried to resist before being spirited away from a southern Philippine coastal town by speedboat.