Muslim Extremists Murder Philippine Christians

JOLO, Philippines, FEB. 5, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Muslim extremists killed six Christians in cold blood six of the small town of Patikul on Sulu Island, in the Sulu Archipelago of the Philippines.

The attackers, suspected Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, a fundamentalist group close to al-Qaida, went door-to-door on Friday asking if the occupants of the house were Muslims or Christians, reported AsiaNews.

If the residents responded that they were Christian, the guerrillas opened fire, according to AsiaNews.

Brigadier General Alexander Aleo, a spokesman for the Philippine military, confirmed the information, stating that among the dead was a 9-month-old girl.

The island's military chief added that in the attack five people were seriously wounded, among them a 3-year-old boy.

Abu Sayyaf, formed in 1991, is the most feared guerrilla group of those operating in the southern Philippines.

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