Incident Summary:

12/28/2008: On Sunday night, at about 2020, in Basilan, Philippines, two assailants on a motorcycle kidnapped a 4-year-old child, Andrea Diman. Diman was kidnapped from Datu Kalun Park in downtown Lamitan City. On 12/30/2008, at about 1300, in Sinulatan village in Tuburan, Basilan, Philippines, the assailants released the girl unharmed. Former Tuburan Mayor Hajarun Jamiri, who worked to release the girl, said that no ransom was paid in exchange for the release. No group claimed responsibility, although it was widely believed the Abu Sayyaf Group was responsible.

GTD ID:
200812280031

When:
2008-12-28

Country:
Philippines

Region:
Southeast Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Basilan

City:
Near Lamitan

Location Details:
The kidnapping took place in Datu Kalun Park in downtown Lamitan.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Hostage Taking (Kidnapping)
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity Andrea Diman
Specific Description A four year old girl was targeted in the attack.
Nationality of Target Philippines
Additional Information
Hostages Yes
Number of Hostages 1
US Hostages 0
Days of Kidnapping 3
Outcome Hostage(s) released by perpetrators
Property Damage No
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Unknown
Weapon Details
It is unknown if weapons were used in the attack.
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
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) (suspected) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators 2
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
National Counterterrorism Center, "One Child Kidnapped by Suspected ASG in Akbar, Basilan, Philippines," Worldwide Incidents Tracking System, December 2, 2009.
Agence France Presse, "Girl Freed After More Than a Month in Captivity in Philippines," LexisNexis Academic, Agence France Presse, January 1, 2009.
Philippines News Agency, "Kidnapped Girl in Basilan Freed," LexisNexis Academic, Philippines News Agency, December 30, 2008.