Religious Liberty Prayer List – No. 213 – Wed 02 Apr 2003

—————————————– PHILIPPINES: INSURGENTS TARGET CHRISTIANS —————————————–

On 30 March, after two days of ‘exploratory talks’ in Malaysia, the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) announced they had signed an agreement to resume peace negotiations. Both sides also agreed to ‘exercise mutual restraint to minimise, if not put an end to’ fighting in the south. This announcement was welcomed because the security situation in the Philippines has deteriorated markedly in recent months, with Christian civilians being the main victims.

However, hopes have been short-lived that exercising restraint meant a halt to aggression. On Monday 31 March, 80 MILF militiamen used rocket-propelled grenades to attack a residential area near Midsayap town in North Cotabato 890 kilometres (550 miles) south- east of Manila. They wounded 12 civilians and seized six Christian residents as ‘human shields’ against pursuing troops. The village chairman (who received a head wound) and his wife were among those taken. All were eventually released. In claiming the MILF was fully responsible, their spokesman declared, ‘There is no ceasefire yet and war is still going notwithstanding the joint statement issued.’

This Islamic insurgency is not the Philippines’ only problem. The Communist terrorists of the New People’s Army (NPA) have stepped up their revolt, possibly due to the increased American presence in the Philippines, which the NPA strongly opposes. Of great concern is the NPA’s suggestion they might form a ‘tactical alliance’ with the MILF as a united front against the government. Both the MILF and the NPA view Christians as expendable bargaining chips and acceptable collateral damage.

NPA guerrillas recently overran Rev. Paul Sahagun’s small church while he was leading choir practice. Four men and a young girl in the shanty next-door were killed. ‘Who feels safe in a place like this?’ he asked, declaring, ‘Nobody feels safe.’ On 29 March, Manila police were tipped off that some 70 NPA guerrillas were about 50km (30 miles) to the north, planning to seize firearms from the town hall in Angat and a cement plant in the nearby Pandi. Gun battles raged all day, thwarting the guerrillas’ aim to seize firearms, but leaving 20 rebels, one soldier and three policemen dead.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* the Prince of Peace to bind all demonic forces of evil and turn men’s hearts towards peace, and for the sake of Philippines Christians.

* all the Christians who have lost loved ones in the MILF and NPA insurgencies, and that those who are afraid, may keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, experiencing his comfort and strength.

* God to intervene and to use the Philippines civil and military authorities, to protect Christian citizens from massacre, terror and crossfire.

* God to halt the flow of arms to the MILF and the NPA, and uncover their weapons caches, bases and foreign sponsors.

‘(God) alone has all wisdom and power. He determines the course of world events. He reveals deep and mysterious things, he knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he himself is surrounded by light.’ Daniel’s prayer of praise. Daniel 2:20-22

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ———————————————————— INSURGENTS TARGET CHRISTIANS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Christian civilians in the Philippines are regularly victims of terror and violence as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) step up their insurgencies. Both the MILF and the NPA consider Christians are expendable bargaining chips and acceptable collateral damage. Hence Christian communities are often targeted with terror attacks aimed at forcing the government to yield to their demands, such as the MILF’s pressure for an independent Islamic State in the Southern Philippines. Of great concern is the news that the NPA has suggested it might join forces with the MILF to form a united front against the Philippines government, which would cause security to deteriorate even further. We must pray for peace and security in the Philippines, especially for the sake of Philippines Christians.

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The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.

Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.

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