Christian Villages Attacked in Mindanao


Pray for the protection of villages in the Philippines.
Photo: Flickr / smallislander

Two Christian villages in Midsayap, Cotabato, were attacked by the Muslim Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on July 29th and July 31st, according to VOM sources. More than 70 armed men attacked the villages, using four boats to reach the villages and carry away their spoils. They ransacked the villagers' homes, taking belongings such as rice, clothing and utensils. The attackers also took all the animals from the village, including goats, pigs and more than 300 ducks.

Reynaldo Aloro, a village leader who ran for help when he saw the armed Muslims, was caught by the attackers and killed. The villagers now walk to their farms by day and stay at an evacuation centre at night for fear of more attacks. The BIFF continually harass and threaten Christians as part of their campaign for a pure Islamic state. To learn more about the challenges facing fellow believers in the Philippines, please go to the Philippines Country Report.

Pray that the Lord will comfort those who are mourning the loss of their village leader's life, as well as their homes and property (Matthew 5:4). Ask for His protection and provision to be granted to them, bringing recompense for what the enemy has destroyed and plundered. Through the work of God's Holy Spirit, and the witness of the Christian believers, may the members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters be brought to repentance and salvation.

  • Country Information

    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 the Philippines

    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

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