Philippines Update

Mount Apo in Mindanao, Philippines

Here is a report on the situation in the Philippines:

Felipe Casing, Davao Area Pastor, reports: Terrorist bombings in selected areas in Mindanao continue. Our economy is still suffering and more inhabitants move from the provinces to urban areas for refuge and support from relatives. Sadly, the provinces are being used for sanctuary camps by the rebels, which puts the locals and farmers at risk. Recently, a bomb exploded in front of a church building in Cotabato City, Maguindanao, leaving dozens injured and many dead. There are also rumors indicating that the bombings and kidnappings are by the outlawed Abu Sayyap, and other organized crime groups. It is said that they may be targeting Christian groups. If this rumor is true, it could trigger a religious conflict in Mindanao and endanger Christians travelling to Muslim dominated areas.

Amidst the turmoil, God’s people are doing fine and continue to work in their businesses and on their farms. In some places in Cotabato province, at harvest time when crops are ready for sale or milling for food, armed groups show up and ask for produce. If the farmer is unwilling or tries to fight back, he is shot with an automatic machine gun. So it is best to just hand it over. In spite of the banditry, crop failure and typhoon damage, the brethren in Davao are all doing fine and, so far, unaffected directly. We are really happy and thankful for God’s protection. It makes all the difference since we lean on the power from the Almighty God.

LCG supplied some aid to other regions of the Philippines recently (see Food & Aid for the Philippines) and it helped those in the Mindanao area (see World Ahead Weekly Update).

The Philippines is the 12th most populous nation in the world and with a population of about 92,000,000.

The Living Church of God has over thirty congregations in the Philippines:

Bangued, Abra; Orion, Bataan; Baguio City, Benguet; Naval, Biliran; Don Carlos, Bukidnon; Kiara, Bukidnon; Mauswagon, Bukidnon; San Fernando, Bukidnon; Imus, Cavite; Cebu, Cebu; Compostela, Compostela Valley; Monkayo, Comval Province; Nabunturan, Comval Province; Davao City, Davao del Sur; Borongan, Eastern Samar; San Mateo, Isabela; Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte; Tacloban, Leyte; Claveria, Masbate; Quezon City, Metro Manila; Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental; Kidapawan, North Cotabato; Makilala, North Cotabato; San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Bani, Pangasinan; Pozorrubio, Pangasinan; Lucena, Quezon; Teresa, Rizal; Polomolok, South Cotabato; Lilo-An, Southern Leyte; Maasin City, Southern Leyte; Hinabangan, Western Samar; Bongabongan, Zamboanga del Norte; Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.

I believe that the Philippines has the second highest number of LCG congregations in the world.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.