2000 Sipadan kidnappings

Hostage crisis in Sipadan, Malaysia and Jolo, Philippines July 2026 January 2025 2000 Sipadan kidnappings Islamic insurgency in the Philippines and Cross border attacks in Sabah Malaysia Sipadan Green_pog.svg 4.114683 118.628756 350 center Location of Sipadan Island in Malaysia Sipadan, Malaysia and Jolo, Philippines Local and foreign tourists 4.114683 N 118.628756 E inline, title 23 April 2000 – 19 September 2000 UTC+8 Hostage situation None Unknown 21 abducted Flag of Jihad.svg Abu Sayyaf Automatic weapons, grenades and rocket-propelled grenades The 2000 Sipadan kidnappings was a hostage crisis in Sabah, Malaysia, and the southern Philippines that began with the seizing of twenty-one hostages from the dive resort island of Sipadan at approximately 6:15 p.m. (UTC +8) on 23 April 2000, by up to six Abu Sayyaf (ASG) bandits.Fuller Thomas 20 Kidnapped From Malaysian Resort Island https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/25/news/25iht-malay.2.t_3.html 27 May 2013 New York Times 25 April 2000 Taken hostage were 10 tourists from Europe and the Middle East and 11 Malaysian resort workers, 19 non-Filipino nationals in total. The hostages were taken to an Abu Sayyaf base in Jolo, Sulu. Abu Sayyaf kidnappings, bombings and other attacks http://www.gmanews.tv/story/154797/abu-sayyaf-kidnappings-bombings-and-other-attacks GMA News 23 August 2007 22 March 2010 During the hostage taking, Abu Sayyaf issued various demands for the release of several prisoners, including 1993 World Trade Center bomber Ramzi Yousef, $2.4 million and a complete withdrawal of government troops from the area around Jolo where the hostages were being held.Malaysia seeks direct role in hostage crisis http://www.hindu.com/2000/05/04/stories/0304000b.htm https://archive.today/20130615195421/http://www.hindu.com/2000/05/04/stories/0304000b.htm dead 15 June 2013 27 May 2013 4 May 2000 P. S. Suryanarayana The Hindu Chennai, India The Philippine Army launched a major offensive on 16 September 2000, rescuing all remaining hostages, except Filipino dive instructor Roland Ullah. Ullah was eventually freed in 2003. The crisis On 23 April 2000, six men armed with assault rifles and several rocket-propelled grenades arrived by a speedboat on the Sipadan resort island off the eastern coast of Borneo. They proceeded to abduct 21 individuals from the dining hall where dinner was being served. The hostages, including a Malaysian police officer, three Germans, two French, two South Africans, two Finns and a Lebanese citizen, were herded onto the boats with nine Malaysian and two Filipino resort workers.An Invasion of Paradise http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,996834,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20100616011954/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,996834,00.html dead June 16, 2010 27 May 2013 Time 8 May 2000 An American couple and a local marine photographer managed to evade capture unharmed.Philippines separatists' kidnap claim https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/724875.stm 27 May 2013 BBC 25 April 2000 During the abduction the hostages were allegedly robbed of their money and jewelry before being forced at gunpoint to swim to the boat waiting offshore. The hostages were then transported across 200 miles of open water to Jolo island, in the Sulu Archipelago of the southern Philippines. Once on Jolo, the captives were allegedly held captive by up to 200 Abu Sayyaf bandits under the command of a Commander 'Robot', a pseudonym of Galib Andang.McCarthy Terry Crisis Situation http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2053648,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20111215000340/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2053648,00.html dead December 15, 2011 27 May 2013 Time 15 May 2000 Captivity in Jolo On 6 May 2000, a video was released by the captors depicting the hostages held in a jungle area with gunfire and mortar rounds audible in the background. The video footage also showed a female German captive lying on a makeshift stretcher, apparently overcome by illness. A Philippine government doctor who reached and treated the captives in Jolo was reported as saying the German woman required immediate hospital treatment for hypertension.Jungle nightmare for Philippines hostages https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/740041.stm 27 May 2013 BBC 7 May 2000 The bandits were reported to have demanded a ransom of $2 million for the release of the ailing German tourist among their captives.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/753282.stm Bomb blasts rock Jolo BBC News 18 May 2000 23 March 2010 Around 8 May 2000, the bandits holding the foreign hostages fired at government troops who the bandits claimed were approaching too close to their position. One Philippines soldier was killed, and the bandits claimed two of the hostages also died during the fighting, although the government denied any foreigners had been killed. The government's denial of any casualties among the foreign hostages would later be proven true; however, all efforts to open negotiations with the hostage takers were then suspended. Further captives taken In June, Bel. Hon. Evangelist Pastor Wilde Estrada Almeda and 12 of his prayer warriors from the Jesus Miracle Crusade Church offered their help and went as mediators for the release of other hostages. On 2 July 2000, a German journalist Andreas Lorenz, who was visiting Jolo to cover the hostage story, was also seized.Timeline: Hostage crisis in the Philippines http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/06/07/phil.timeline.hostage/ 27 May 2013 CNN 25 August 2002 29 July 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130729201250/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/06/07/phil.timeline.hostage/ dead The correspondent for the weekly magazine Der Spiegel was abducted from a jeep during an ambush by a group of armed bandits who dragged Mr Lorenz to their vehicle. The driver of the jeep was able to escape.Paterson Tony Rebels kidnap German journalist in Philippines https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jul/03/philippines 27 May 2013 3 July 2000 London The Guardian Three French television crew members were also captured by bandits on 9 July 2000. Aftermath Captives released On 20 August 2000, the final three of nine Malaysians taken from Sipadan arrived in Malaysia after the bandits received US$ 3 million from the Malaysian government and freed the trio from captivity, along with one Filipino.Baruah Amit Rebels decline to free hostages http://www.hindu.com/2000/08/20/stories/03200007.htm https://archive.today/20130615195356/http://www.hindu.com/2000/08/20/stories/03200007.htm dead 15 June 2013 27 May 2013 19 August 2000 The Hindu Chennai, India The Malaysian hostages reported living mostly on boiled rice and a scrap or two of fish each day, and having had only rain water to drink. Several had been stung by scorpions during their captivity.Malaysian hostages return home after 4 months http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/malaysian-hostages-return-home-after-4-months-1.47738#.UaL0KMH95J4 27 May 2013 Independent Online 20 August 2000 Reuters As of the release of the Malaysians it was believed two Germans, two Finns, two South Africans and seven French nationals, including the three journalists, were being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf bandits. On 28 August 2000, mediation by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi saw the bandits release six Western captives who were taken via a Libyan plane first to the United Arab Emirates and then to Tripoli, the capital of Libya. The six Westerners were allegedly set free after a ransom, reportedly of US$ 1 million a head, was paid by the state of Libya. Prior to these releases the Libyan state allegedly pledged US$ 25 million in "development aid".https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/898190.stm Philippine hostages head for Libya BBC News 28 August 2000 26 November 2014Hajari Nisid Bungles in the Jungle http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2039805,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110123135356/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2039805,00.html dead January 23, 2011 27 May 2013 Time 11 September 2000 However the former Libyan ambassador to the Philippines, Rajab Azzarouq, denied media reports that Libya paid a US$ 25 million ransom to the bandits.Jolo hostage release delayed https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/879598.stm 27 May 2013 BBC 15 August 2000 Of the original hostages taken, German Marc Wallert, Frenchman Stephane Loisy and Finns Seppo Fränti and Risto Vahanen and a Filipino resort worker were still being held by the Abu Sayyaf bandits as of 7 September 2000.Philippines hostages 'raped' https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/920714.stm 27 May 2013 BBC News 11 September 2000Hostages will be free within 24 hours http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/hostages-will-be-free-within-24-hours-1.45354#.UaLLw8H95J4 27 May 2013 Independent Online 7 September 2000 Reuters The final four European captives taken from Sipadan were released on 10 September 2000, and transported to Tripoli, Libya, by private jet. Following his release, Vahanen confirmed that a number of female captives had been sexually assaulted by bandit Commander 'Robot', also known as Galib Andang. On 16 September 2000, following an offensive by the Philippine Armed Forces on Jolo Island, the Filipino evangelist and his crew of eleven were released by the bandits. Three days later, the two final European hostages, a pair of French reporters, were also freed.Search for hostages widens https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_VRIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lhQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6719,1957306&dq=sipadan+kidnapping&hl=en 27 May 2013 New Straits Times 6 October 2000 Arrest and the death of perpetrators On 14 January 2016, Philippine authorities arrested a member of Abu Sayyaf who was believed to have been involved in the kidnapping. According to Philippine media reports, the suspect had standing arrest warrants on 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom issued by a court in Pasig, Philippines.http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2016/01/14/authorities-arrest-sipadan-malaysia-raider-451751 Authorities arrest Sipadan, Malaysia raider Bong Garcia Sun.Star 14 January 2016 15 January 2016 5 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160205140255/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2016/01/14/authorities-arrest-sipadan-malaysia-raider-451751 dead Another Abu Sayyaf member who had been alleged to have a link to the kidnapping was killed during a clash with Philippine police and military personnel who, had been out to arrest him in Indanan, Sulu on 7 February.http://www.interaksyon.com/article/123764/suspect-in-sipadan-davao-pearl-farm-incidents-killed-in-sulu-clash Suspect in Sipadan, Davao Pearl Farm incidents killed in Sulu clash Jaime Sinapit Interaksyon 7 February 2016 8 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160208084326/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/123764/suspect-in-sipadan-davao-pearl-farm-incidents-killed-in-sulu-clash 2016-02-08 dead While another Abu Sayyaf member that was involved in the kidnappings was arrested in Zamboanga City, Philippines on 7 October.http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=113295 Abu Sayyaf man behind Sipadan kidnapping arrested Daily Express 9 October 2016 9 October 2016 Also in the same year, another Abu Sayyaf member was arrested on 17 October with a .45-calibre pistol and a hand grenade being confiscated from him. However, the suspect was fatally shot by an arresting soldier while he was being escorted to police headquarters when the suspect attempted to grab the soldier's firearm.http://www.manilatimes.net/sayyaf-militant-sabah-kidnappings-killed/291907/ Sayyaf militant in Sabah kidnappings killed Al Jacinto The Manila Times 18 October 2016 19 October 2016 The Philippine authorities also arrested an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader in early 2017 who had been involved in the kidnappings.http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2017/01/29/another-abu-sayyaf-bandit-falls-zamboanga-522806 Another Abu Sayyaf bandit falls in Zamboanga Bong Garcia Sun.Star 29 January 2017 31 January 2017 Another was killed during a firefight with Philippine security forces in March,http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/879095/abu-sayyaf-man-tagged-in-sipadan-hostage-crisis-killed-by-cops-in-basilan Abu Sayyaf man in Sipadan hostage crisis killed in Basilan Julie Alipala Philippine Daily Inquirer 9 March 2017 9 March 2017 while two others was caught in July 2017Pareño Roel Suspected Abu Sayyaf member involved in mass abduction of foreigners captured https://www.philstar.com/nation/2017/07/14/1719545/suspected-abu-sayyaf-member-involved-mass-abduction-foreigners-captured 2026-04-27 Philstar.com and March 2018 respectively.http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2018/03/21/abu-sayyaf-bandit-malaysian-resort-kidnapping-falls-594825 Abu Sayyaf bandit in Malaysian resort kidnapping falls Bong Garcia Sun.Star 21 March 2018 29 March 2018 Several others were arrested in 2019.https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/03/12/abu-sayyaf-man-tied-to-dos-palmas-sipadan-abductions-arrested/ Abu Sayyaf man tied to Dos Palmas, Sipadan abductions arrested Joel R. San Juan BusinessMirror 12 March 2019 22 August 2019http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/139619/sipadan-kidnapping-suspect-held-in-zamboanga/ Sipadan kidnapping suspect held in Zamboanga Nikko Fabian Daily Express 21 August 2019 22 August 2019 On 16 October 2024, the Taguig RTC convicted 17 Abu Sayyaf members, including Rajah Solaiman Movement founder Hilarion Del Rosario Santos III, for participating in the kidnappings and sentenced them to life imprisonment.Ayalin Adrian https://www.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/10/21/17-abu-sayyaf-men-found-guilty-over-2000-sipadan-kidnapping-1013 17 Abu Sayyaf men found guilty over 2000 Sipadan kidnapping ABS-CBN October 21, 2024 October 21, 2024 See also Anti-Filipino sentiment History of Sabah Malaysia Philippines References 2 Articles related to 2000 Sipadan kidnappings Terrorism in Timeline of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict Category:Terrorist incidents in Asia in 2000 Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2000 Category:History of Sabah Category:21st century in Sulu Category:Military operations of the Moro conflict Category:Attacks on tourists in the Philippines Category:Religiously motivated violence in the Philippines Category:Islamic terrorism in Malaysia Category:Cross-border operations Category:Hostage taking in Malaysia Category:Hostage taking in the Philippines Category:Abu Sayyaf attacks Category:April 2000 in the Philippines Category:April 2000 in Malaysia Category:Muammar Gaddafi Category:Libya–Philippines relations Category:Terrorist incidents in the Philippines in 2000 Category:Terrorist incidents in Malaysia in 2000