Ernan Chavez, who was taken hostage by Muslim rebels in the village of Sitio Arco, Basilan province, Philippines (read the details), was released on April 20 after nearly two weeks in captivity. Chavez was among nine villagers taken, two of whom were killed. Chavez was released in the town of Al-barka after his family paid the captors a ransom amount of P50,000 (approximately $1,220 CAD).
Learn more about the opposition facing Christians in the Philippines.
Population
116,434,200 (2023 est.)
Ethnicity (%)
Tagalog (26), Bisaya/Binisaya (14.3), Ilocano (8), Cebuano (8), Ilonggo (7.9), Bikol/Bicol (6.5), Waray (3.8), Kapampangan (3), other (22.5)
Religion (%)
Christianity (85.3), Islam (6.4), Other (8.2)
Leader
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2022)
Government type
Presidential republic
Legal system
Mixed legal system of civil, common, Islamic, and customary law
Statistics provided by CIA World Factbook.
Pray for those in the various villages of Mindanao who have been victimized by rebel groups. May they not pursue any form of retaliation, acknowledging that vengeance belongs to God alone – the Righteous Judge. Instead, may these believers be granted His grace and strength to not only forgive the perpetrators but to also earnestly intercede for them. Let's join our Christian brothers and sisters by pray
On December 3rd, a Catholic mass held at Mindanao State University was rocked by a bomb that killed four participants and wounded 45 others. (More details about this incident are available here.) Following the bombing, which was carried out by ISIS-affiliated terrorists, the church deemed it necessary to scale back on their upcoming Christmas celebrations.
"O come, Thou 'Rod of Jesse' [the Messiah],
Free Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o'er the grave."
For many who receive the weekly "Persecution & Prayer Alerts," Christmastime brings to mind the imagery of joyful family celebrations, the enjoyment of peaceful carol music and, most importantly, the celebration of God's gift to humanity, as expressed through the birth of His Son Jesus. It's a season involving Christmas pageants, festive lights, gift-giving, and meaningful worship services of celebration. While the specific traditions may vary among individual families and churches, the primary purpose remains the same for all believers: to remember and celebrate the arrival of the "Promised Messiah."
Coordinated bombs at a cathedral in Jolo, southern Philippines, killed at least 20 people and injured over 80 on January 27th. The first bomb went off during the church service; the second exploded outside the door, as people fled and troops responded to the disaster. Those killed included five soldiers. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the incident, and the Philippines military has been conducting raids in an effort to track down those responsible.
After a full three months of fighting, the Armed Forces of the Philippines are now in control of all but a half-kilometre grid square of Marawi city. To date, the battle has claimed the lives of 573 militants, 128 soldiers and police, and at least 45 civilians. The progress has been slowed and complicated by the fact that the militants -- those who pledged allegiance to the self-proclaimed Islamic State -- have planted numerous improvised explosive devices and retained civilian captives as human shields.
