Timeline of events related to Abu Sayyaf (2016)

This article contains a timeline of events from January 2016 to December 2016 related to the IS-linked Abu Sayyaf. This article contains information about the events committed by or on behalf of the Abu Sayyaf, as well as events performed by groups who oppose them.

Timeline

January 2016

• 14 January – A member of Abu Sayyaf who was believed to have been involved in the 2000 kidnappings over Sipadan was arrested by Philippine authorities.^[1]

February 2016

• 6 February – Another Abu Sayyaf member who been alleged has link to the 2000 kidnappings over Sipadan and Davao Pearl Farm incidents was killed during a clash with Philippine police and military personnel who ought to arrest him in Indanan, Sulu.^[2]

March 2016

• 28 March – Ten Indonesian nationals were abducted by Abu Sayyaf gunmen off the waters of Sulu.^[3]

April 2016

• 1 April – Four Malaysians aboard a tugboat from Manila was kidnapped when they arrived near the shore of Ligitan Island, while leaving other crews unharmed comprising three Myanmar nationals and two Indonesians.^[4]

• 8 April – An almost 10-hour long intense firefight happened in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan. Eighteen soldiers were killed while 52 government troops were wounded. Five Abu Sayyaf fighters were also killed in the encounter, including one foreign terrorist - a Moroccan national identified as Mohammad Khattad.^[5]

• 15 April – Two Indonesian tugboats from Cebu, namely Henry and Cristi with 10 passengers were attacked by Abu Sayyaf militants. Four passengers were kidnapped, while another five were safe. One of the passenger was injured after being shot but were later rescued by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency when they arrived into the waters of Malaysia.^[6]

• 26 April – Canadian John Ridsdel, one of four hostages kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf group on Samal Island last September has been beheaded.^[7]

• 27 April – President Benigno Aquino III revealed that the ASG had plotted to kidnap his sister Kris Aquino and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao. In a statement sent to the media, Aquino said the ASG planned such attempts as part of their efforts to catch the attention of the international terrorist group Islamic State or ISIS.^[8]
• 28 April – An aerial bombardment and shelling of known Abu Sayyaf positions in Sulu have resulted in the death of 14 terrorists.^[9]

• 30 April – Government forces have recovered an arms cache and a speedboat belonging to the ASG during operations in Siluag and Mamanuk Islands in Tawi-Tawi. The recovered contents from the arms cache were: Four M-16A1 automatic rifles, one M-79 grenade launcher, a US carbine, one .38 caliber revolver, one .357 Magnum revolver, an M-16A1 with an M-203 grenade launcher, a 60 cal. machine gun, and a .50 cal Browning machine gun. Also recovered were assorted ammunition and a speedboat believed to be used by the ASG in their illegal activities.^[10]

May 2016

• 1 May – Ten Indonesians hostages who were abducted last 28 March are freed by the ASG. A source said a P50-million ransom was paid to the kidnappers.^[11]

References

1. Garcia, Bong (14 January 2016). "Authorities arrest Sipadan, Malaysia raider". Sun.Star. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
2. Sinapit, Jaime (7 February 2016). "Suspect in Sipadan, Davao Pearl Farm incidents killed in Sulu clash". Interaksyon. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
3. Alipala, Julie (29 March 2016). "Abu Sayyaf bandits snatch 10 Indonesians off Sulu - military". Inquirer. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
4. Lai, Nancy; Ringgit, Margaret (3 April 2016). "Four Sarawakians kidnapped". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
5. Macolor, Abner (10 April 2016). "Philippine Army suffers huge combat loss in firefight with Abu Sayyaf". Kicker Daily. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
6. Setyadi, Arief (16 April 2016). "Indonesia back hijacked ship, 4 citizen kidnapped and shot 1". Okezone. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
7. Cahiles, Gerg (26 April 2016). "Abu Sayyaf beheads Canadian hostage John Ridsdel". CNN Philippines. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
8. Alvarez, Kathrina (27 April 2016). "PNoy: Abu Sayyaf plotted to kidnap Kris, Pacquiao". GMA News. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
9. "Aerial bombardment kills 14 Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu - military". GMA News. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
10. Nepomuceno, Priam (30 April 2016). "Abu Sayyaf arms cache, speedboat recovered in Tawi-Tawi operations". Retrieved 30 April 2016.
11. Alipala, Julie (1 May 2016). "10 Indonesian hostages freed by Abu Sayyaf in Sulu". Inquirer. Retrieved 2 May 2016.

External links