Last week, Indonesia banned its vessels from sailing to The Philippines, after seven Indonesian sailors were kidnapped at gunpoint, and are now being held hostage by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants. This follows the kidnapping and release of four Malaysian sailors, the beheading of a Canadian hostage and a spate of violent incidents over the past year, involving the group based in the Southern Philippines.

Today we explore Abu Sayyaf’s kidnapping industry, the group’s growing allegiance to the Islamic State, and possible measures that authorities can take to curb its criminal activities.

This report is by Jason Lim.