Insights

ASG threaten to behead German victim on 26 February

Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) militants have released a video, threatening to behead their German kidnap victim on 26 February if they are not paid 30 million pesos ($854,000) in ransom. The German man was kidnapped from his yacht in early November 2016. The body of a woman, believed to be his partner, was later found abandoned on the yacht. In 2014, ASG militants abducted another German couple off a yacht in the southern Philippines. They released the pair six months later after receiving what they said was their full ransom demand of US$5.1 million. ASG is a violent jihadi group who operate in the waters around the Philippines and who frequently kidnap people from yachts and small fishing boats for ransom. The group is known for its brutality, including beheadings, and in recent months have intensified their attacks on those at sea.

Those who intend to travel by sea in and around the waters off the coast of the Philippines are reminded to be aware that ASG operate here and frequently kidnap and kill people for ransom. Avoid all unnecessary travel in the waters off the southern coast of the Philippines and in the Sulu and Celebes Seas. Remain vigilant at all times.