Philippines (MNN)–Asia News is reporting a cold-blooded massacre in the Philippines.
Suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf are accused of shooting six Christians to death in the Sulu Archipelago. According to published reports, the attackers went door-to-door Friday asking if the occupants of the house were Muslims or Christians.
If the residents responded that they were Christian, the guerrillas opened fire. The attack occurred near the Philippine Marine headquarters in the town of Patikul, and took place amid heightened security measures being implemented.
Abu Sayyaf are most notorious for their kidnapping of American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham in 2001.
Formed in 1991, the fundamentalist group has close ties to al-Qaida and they are one the most feared guerrilla groups of those operating in the southern Philippines.
The Philippines is about 80 percent Christian. Muslims make up about seven percent of the population, with extremists an even smaller percentage.
Some guerrilla groups have engaged in attacks against Christians, creating a tense environment for evangelistic work in some parts of the country.
