Two men are dead and another remains missing following a raid by approximately 40 Muslim rebels on the predominately Christian village of Sitio Arco in Basilan province, southern Philippines on Good Friday (April 10). Cosme Aballes, Ernan Chavez and six children were kidnapped during the raid. Another man, Jacinto Clemente, was shot and killed by the rebels. The children were released later that day. Aballes was barbarically beheaded and his body was found two days later in the nearby town of Lamitan. According to a military spokesman, the rebels "will kill anybody they encounter and the intention they had was to disrupt the Christian activities during the Lenten season when they went to Sitio Arco." The spokesperson also stated that "their second motive was to extort from local leaders in the area," referring to Chavez, who at last report was still missing.

Pray for the family and friends grieving the death of those killed. Pray for the safe release of Chavez. Pray that authorities will be able to effectively stop the militant organizations operating in the country.

To learn more about the persecution of Christians in the Philippines, click here.