Incident Summary:

07/20/2017: Assailants set fire to a sawmill and abducted two civilians in Lower Mahayahay, Maluso, Basilan, Philippines. This was one of two related kidnappings in Basilan on this date. The victims were beheaded and their bodies were found on July 28, 2017. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

GTD ID:
201707200015

When:
2017-07-20

Country:
Philippines

Region:
Southeast Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Basilan

City:
Maluso

Location Details:
The incident occurred in the Lower Mahayahay neighborhood.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Hostage Taking (Kidnapping)
Type of Attack (more) Facility/Infrastructure Attack
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Business
Name of Entity Unknown
Specific Description Sawmill
Nationality of Target Philippines
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity Not Applicable
Specific Description Civilians: Dodong Divinagracia, Ily Divinagracia
Nationality of Target Philippines
Additional Information
Hostages Yes
Number of Hostages 2
US Hostages 0
Days of Kidnapping 8
Outcome Hostage(s) killed (not during rescue attempt)
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Incendiary Arson/Fire
Melee Knife or Other Sharp Object
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 2 Fatalities / 0 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 2
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
"Philippines: Abu beheads 7 Basilan captives," Malaya Business Insight Online, July 31, 2017.
"Philippine security forces find seven headless bodies on southern island," Reuters UK, July 31, 2017.
"Philippines: 5 bodies found in Basilan, believed to be those of anti-terror supporters," INQUIRER.net, July 29, 2017.