Incident Summary:

07/09/2000: Three French journalists covering the hostage situation in the Philippines were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Jolo. One was released on 8/27/2000, and the other two escaped on 9/20/2000.

GTD ID:
200007090005

When:
2000-07-09

Country:
Philippines

Region:
Southeast Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Sulu

City:
Jolo

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Hostage Taking (Kidnapping)
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Journalists & Media
Name of Entity Journalists
Specific Description Three French Journalists covering a recent Abu Sayyaf kidnapping
Nationality of Target France
Additional Information
Hostages Yes
Number of Hostages 3
US Hostages 0
Days of Kidnapping 71
Outcome Combination
Ransom Yes
Total Ransom Amount Demanded Unknown
Ransom Amount Demanded from US Sources 0.00
Total Ransom Amount Paid Unknown
Total Ransom Amount Paid by US Sources Unknown
Ransom Notes Unknown
Property Damage No
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Unknown
Weapon Details
The weapons used during the kidnapping were unknown.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information One Journalist was freed 38 days after being captured, supposedly after a ransom was paid. The two other hostages escaped 71 days after being captured.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) (suspected) Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Unknown)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 0 Fatalities / 0 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 0
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 0
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"More on Muslim Extremists Abduct Three French Journalists,” Agence France Presse, July 9, 2000.
"Abu Sayyaf Abducts Three French Journalists in Southern Philippines,” Qezon City GMA 7 Television, July 10, 2000.
"Chronology of Philippines hostage crisis,” Agence France Presse, April 12, 2001.