Editing Abu Sayyaf (section)

====Philippines and Malaysia waters====

=====2014 German sailors kidnapping=====
In April 2014, Germans Dr. Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrike Dielen were captured on their yacht on the high seas near Borneo. Abu Sayyaf threatened to behead one of them. After payment of $US5.6&nbsp;million in October 2014, the pair were released in Patikul, Sulu.<ref name=":0" />

=====2016 Local and foreign sailors kidnappings=====
On March 26, 2016, ten Indonesian seafarers were held hostage by ASG operating in [[Sulu Archipelago]]. They were abducted from the Brahma 12 tugboat and the Anand 12 barge<ref name=":2" /> near [[Tawi-Tawi province]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Sanchez |first=Ray |date=March 29, 2016 |title=10 Indonesian sailors kidnapped in the Philippines |work=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/29/asia/philippines-indonesia-sailors-hostage/}}</ref> The Indonesian vessels were freighting coal from [[South Borneo]] heading for [[Batangas]] port when hijacked. In April, the Indonesian government announced that the company that owned tugboat ''Brahma 12'' had agreed to pay the 50-million-peso ($1&nbsp;million) ransom.<ref name=":2" /> On May 2, they were released.<ref>{{cite news |author=Hume |first1=Tim |last2=Quiano |first2=Kathy |date=May 2, 2016 |title=10 Indonesian hostages released by Islamist militant group, president says |work=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/01/asia/indonesia-philippines-abu-sayyaf-hostages/}}</ref>

On April 1, four [[Malaysians|Malaysian]] sailors aboard a tugboat from Manila were kidnapped when they arrived near the shore of [[Ligitan Island]]. Their companions, three Myanmar nationals and two Indonesians, were unharmed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lai |first1=Nancy |last2=Ringgit |first2=Margaret |date=April 3, 2016 |title=Four Sarawakians kidnapped |newspaper=Borneo Post |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/04/03/four-sarawakians-kidnapped/ |access-date=April 3, 2016}}</ref> On June 8, they were released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/4-malaysians-released-by/2854376.html|title=4 Malaysians released by Abu Sayyaf: Philippine military|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=June 8, 2016|access-date=June 15, 2016|archive-date=June 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611084528/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/4-malaysians-released-by/2854376.html}}</ref>

On April 15, four Indonesian sailors were kidnapped when two Indonesian tugboats from [[Cebu]], ''Henry'' and ''Cristi'', were attacked by Abu Sayyaf militants. While five of the passengers were safe, one was shot before he was rescued.<ref>{{cite web |author=Setyadi |first=Arief |date=April 16, 2016 |title=Kapal Indonesia Kembali Dibajak, 4 WNI Diculik & 1 Ditembak |url=http://news.okezone.com/read/2016/04/16/337/1364473/kapal-indonesia-kembali-dibajak-4-wni-diculik-1-ditembak |access-date=April 16, 2016 |publisher=Okezone |language=id}}</ref> They were released on May 11.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parlina |first1=Ina |last2=Salim |first2=Tama |date=May 12, 2016 |title=Abu Sayyaf releases four remaining RI hostages |newspaper=The Jakarta Post |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/05/12/abu-sayyaf-releases-four-remaining-ri-hostages.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513122712/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/05/12/abu-sayyaf-releases-four-remaining-ri-hostages.html |archive-date=May 13, 2016}}</ref> A group of concerned Filipinos in Sabah urged Philippine president-elect [[Rodrigo Duterte]] to intervene for the release of four Malaysians held hostage by Abu Sayyaf. The issue strained the relationship between the Philippines and Malaysia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=109710|title=Filipinos in Sabah urge Duterte: Help free hostages|newspaper=Daily Express|date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513123353/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=109710|archive-date=May 13, 2016}}</ref>

On June 21, seven Indonesian sailors were kidnapped while aboard a tugboat passing through the Sulu Archipelago.<ref>{{cite news |author=Torres |first=Estrella |date=June 24, 2016 |title=Abu kidnappers seize 7 Indonesians |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/792201/abu-kidnappers-seize-7-indonesians |access-date=July 10, 2016}}</ref>

On July 9, three Indonesian fishermen were kidnapped near the coast of Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/armed-men-kidnap-three-indonesians-off-sabah-coast/|title=Armed Men Kidnap Three Indonesians Off Sabah Coast|newspaper=Jakarta Globe|date=July 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016234539/http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/armed-men-kidnap-three-indonesians-off-sabah-coast|archive-date=October 16, 2016}}</ref> and released on September 17.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/09/174118/three-indonesians-abducted-sabah-waters-freed-militant-abu-sayyaf-group?|title=Three Indonesians abducted in Sabah waters freed by militant Abu Sayyaf group|agency=Reuters|work=[[New Straits Times]]|date=September 18, 2016|access-date=September 18, 2016}}</ref>

On July 18, five Malaysian sailors were abducted near the coast of Lahad Datu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/5-malaysian-crewmen/2969950.html|title=5 Malaysian crewmen kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf: Philippine official|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=July 20, 2016|access-date=July 26, 2016|archive-date=July 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723080645/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/5-malaysian-crewmen/2969950.html}}</ref>

On August 3, an Indonesian sailor was kidnapped in the waters of Malaysia leaving two other crew members unharmed. This incident was reported by victims on August 5.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 7, 2016 |editor-last=Purwanto |editor-first=Heru |title=Govt confirms one more Indonesian abducted in Malaysian water |url=http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/106126/govt-confirms-one-more-indonesian-abducted-in-malaysian-water |access-date=August 11, 2016 |publisher=Antara}}</ref> Two of the hostages managed to escape after receiving persistent threats of beheading.<ref>{{cite news |author=Cerojano |first=Teresa |date=August 18, 2016 |title=Second Indonesian sailor manages to escape Abu Sayyaf captors |publisher=CTV News |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/world/second-indonesian-sailor-manages-to-escape-abu-sayyaf-captors-1.3033492 |access-date=September 4, 2016}}</ref>

On September 10, three Filipino fishermen were kidnapped on the shores of Pom Pom Island.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gunmen kidnaps 3 Filipino fishermen near Pulau Pom Pom |url=https://www.thesundaily.my/archive/1967434-KSARCH393969 |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=www.thesundaily.my |language=en-MY}}</ref>

On September 22, another Indonesian hostage was released.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fonbuena |first1=Carmela |last2=Gutierrez |first2=Natashya |date=September 22, 2016 |title=Another Indonesian hostage released by the Abu Sayyaf |publisher=Rappler |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://www.rappler.com/world/regions/asia-pacific/indonesia/bahasa/englishedition/147049-abu-sayyaf-hostage-release |access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref>

On September 27, one Malaysian boat-skipper was kidnapped from his trawler by seven armed militants before the group attacked another Indonesian trawler; however, no kidnappings were committed in the second incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/police-believe-filipino-group-raided-sabah-twice-in-same-night|title=Police believe Filipino group raided Sabah twice in same night|newspaper=The Malay Mail|date=September 28, 2016|access-date=September 28, 2016|archive-date=September 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929162559/http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/police-believe-filipino-group-raided-sabah-twice-in-same-night|url-status=dead}}</ref> The hostage was released on October 1, with no ransom demand,<ref>{{cite web |author=Vanar |first=Muguntan |date=October 1, 2016 |title=Fishing boat owner freed by Filipino abductors |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/10/01/pulau-gaya-kidnap-victim-freed/ |access-date=October 2, 2016 |work=The Star}}</ref> along with three Indonesians hostages who were released the same day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/10/03/asia-pacific/abu-sayyaf-frees-indonesia-tugboat-trio-three-months-captivity/|title=Abu Sayyaf frees Indonesia tugboat trio after three months in captivity|agency=Associated Press|work=[[The Japan Times]] |date=October 3, 2016|access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref>

On October 21, approximately ten Abu Sayyaf militants attacked a South Korean-bound vessel named ''MV Dongbang Gian'' and abducted a South Korean skipper and a Filipino crewman off [[Bongao, Tawi-Tawi]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/abu-sayyaf-attacks-s-korean-ship-abducts-skipper-crewman|title=Abu Sayyaf attacks S. Korean ship, abducts skipper, crewman|agency=Associated Press|work=Fox News Channel|date=October 21, 2016|access-date=October 23, 2016}}</ref>

On November 5, German sailor Sabine Merz was shot dead while her husband [[Jürgen Kantner]] was abducted from their yacht off Tanjong Luuk Pisuk in Sabah. On or before February 27, 2017, Kantner was beheaded after a ransom of 30 million pesos ($US600,000) was not paid.<ref name="Awang Ali Omar">{{cite news |author=Omar |first=Awang Ali |date=November 7, 2016 |title=Report: German kidnapped, girlfriend killed as Abu Sayyaf storm yacht off Sabah waters |newspaper=New Straits Times |url=http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/186536/report-german-kidnapped-girlfriend-killed-abu-sayyaf-storm-yacht-sabah-waters |access-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/587769/news/regions/asg-claims-abducting-german-off-sabah|title=[Female companion found dead in Sulu] ASG claims abducting German off Sabah|publisher=GMA News|date=November 7, 2016|access-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thelocal.de/20170227/german-hostage-beheaded-by-philippine-islamists|title=German sailor beheaded by Philippine Islamists|newspaper=The Local Germany |publisher=GMA News|date=February 27, 2017|access-date=January 29, 2018}}</ref>

On November 11, Vietnamese vessel MV Royale 16 with nineteen sailors on board was attacked by Abu Sayyaf near Basilan, abducting six sailors and injuring one. The remaining thirteen sailors were released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tuoitrenews.vn/society/37957/6-vietnamese-abducted-in-attack-on-cargo-ship-off-philippines|title=6 Vietnamese abducted in attack on cargo ship off Philippines|publisher=Tuổi Trẻ|date=November 11, 2016|access-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref>

On November 20, two Indonesian fishermen were kidnapped by five gunmen off Lahad Datu.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mogato |first1=Manuel |last2=Petty |first2=Martin |last3=Coghill |first3=Kim |date=November 20, 2016 |title=Philippines tries to intercept bandits as more fishermen snatched off Sabah |work=The Star |agency=Reuters |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2016/11/20/philippines-tries-to-intercept-bandits-as-more-indonesians-snatched-at-sea/ |access-date=November 20, 2016}}</ref>

Due to the increase of attacks against foreign vessels by Abu Sayyaf, the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines agreed to jointly patrol their waters on May 5, 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Satriawan |first1=Budi |last2=Mogato |first2=Manuel |last3=Jensen |first3=Fergus |last4=Birsel |first4=Robert |date=May 5, 2016 |title=Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia to coordinate against militant pirates |work=Reuters |url=http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0XW0O7 |access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref> The three countries formed another agreement on joint air patrols.<ref>{{cite news |author=Mangosing |first=Francis |date=October 3, 2016 |title=Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia agree on joint air patrols |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/146016/philippines-indonesia-malaysia-agree-on-joint-air-patrols |access-date=October 3, 2016}}</ref>

During the first six months of 2016, Abu Sayyaf made $7.3&nbsp;million, equivalent to [[Philippine peso|Php]] 353 million, from ransom payoffs.<ref>{{cite news | last =Gomez | first =Jim | title =Abu Sayyaf got $7.3&nbsp;million from kidnappings | newspaper =[[The Washington Post]] | date =October 27, 2016 | url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/apnewsbreak-abu-sayyaf-got-7-million-from-kidnappings/2016/10/27/2e93a898-9c19-11e6-b552-b1f85e484086_story.html | access-date =October 27, 2016 | archive-date =October 28, 2016 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20161028143854/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/apnewsbreak-abu-sayyaf-got-7-million-from-kidnappings/2016/10/27/2e93a898-9c19-11e6-b552-b1f85e484086_story.html }}</ref>