Philippines: Soldiers deployed to secure foreign Christian missionaries from Islamist group Abu Sayyaf

Manila, 23 Jan. (AKI) - Foreign Christian missionaries serving in the conflict-ridden island of Mindanao in the Philippines are to be guarded by armed soldiers as the threat of kidnapping for ransom by Islamic radicals rises.

Senior Superintendent Fransisco Cristobal said that soldiers will be deployed "within shooting range" of churches and convents in mainland Mindanao and in the small islets that surround it.

"We are now initiating safety precautions to protect our local and foreign missionaries, including troop deployment plans near parishes and churches," Cristobal said in a report on 'Mindanews.'

He added that groups engaged in kidnap-for-ransom are still present in the province.

For more than thirty years Mindanao has been the theatre of violence with various separatist groups fighting for an independent state. The adjacent Sulu Archipelago is the known stronghold of the militant Islamist group Abu Sayyaf, notorious for its abduction-for-ransom activities and assaults against foreigners.

Abu Sayyaf is listed as a terror organization by the United States, Europe and the Philippines.

The Filipino army's measure comes few days after the assault and murder of Catholic priest Jesus Rey A. Roda in the southern Philippines province of Tabawan. Roda was allegedly killed by members of Abu Sayyaf.

The murder came after kidnapping threats were received by four Italian priests currently serving in the Zamboanga Peninsula area of Mindanao. None of the priests have requested for a transfer.

In an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI), Father Sebastiano D'Ambra, a missionary in Zamboanga City, said that the threat of violence is always alive but that he has no fear.

"I am serene, I am not scared. This is the time when our mission calls us to talk about dialogue, peace and hope," the Sicilian-born missionary said.

"We have to show with our life and example that we believe in this message and that, together, we can overcome the challenge posed by the violence present in the world," he added.

Father D'Ambra has been living in the Philippines over two decades. He has been the target of several attempted kidnappings. He has established and heads an association dedicated to the dialogue among different religions.

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Source: AKI