6 Christians Killed for Faith

''At least six Christians are dead, including an infant girl, and another five injured after suspected militant Muslims opened fire on a group of Christian families in the predominantly Muslim island of Jolo in the Philippines. At least five gunmen, believed to be from the militant organization Abu Sayyaf, went door-to-door in the village of Patikul and asked the residents if they were Christians. If the residents confessed faith in Christ, the militants opened fire.Those killed were identified as Itting Pontilla (45), Emma Casipong (16), Melanie Patinga (9 months), Selma Patinga and Pedro Casipong. Abu Sayyaf ("Bearer of the Sword") is a militant Muslim guerrilla organization associated with the al-Qaeda network and has been operating in the southern Philippines since 1991. They have been blamed for a series of bombings, kidnappings and murders, mostly targeted at Christians and foreigners.'' (15 Feb. 2006, Voice of the Martyrs Canada)