The Philippine government looks at extremists terrorism against Christians.

Philippines (MNN)–Christian and Muslim leaders met with the Philippine government Friday.

Published reports say talks with the Defense Department centered around the fight against terrorism and a cooperative effort to end sectarian violence.

Although not directly linked, the announcement comes as 17 Abu Sayyaf kidnappers who captured Filipino and foreign tourists from a resort in the southern Philippines in 2001 were sentenced to death by a local court .

It was the first mass conviction of members of the Abu Sayyaf who have been kidnapping and killing Christians and foreigners in Mindanao islands since the early ’90’s.

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.