Clashes in Philippines Damage a Key Christian City

(14 April 10-RV) Philippine troops today clashed with a top Muslim militant commander and dozens of fighters suspected of trying to seize a key predominantly Christian southern city. In a daring attack yesterday on the southern city Isabela, the militants opened fire following bomb attacks at a sports center, the residence of a local judge and the back of a Roman Catholic cathedral. 13 people were killed. Melo Acuna is the Managing Editor of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines News Service. He said that the separatists had previously attempted to exploit Christians for money: