Manila, Philippines, Feb 5, 2006 / 22:00 pm
The Good Shepherd Tribal Ministry in the Philippines has denounced the killing of lay missionary Matt Morales, who was a victim of paramilitary groups that frequently attack missionaries who work with the ethnic minorities on the southern island of Mindanao.
The crime occurred in the region of San Luis (South Agusan) and was another episode in the spiral of violence that has afflicted missionaries who work with the Manobo and Banwaon communities.
According to leaders of the Ministry, Morales, who ran a hospital for indigenous peoples, was killed by a militia that combats the Communist guerrilla fighters of the People’s New Army.
The Good Shepherd ministry said it would continue to reach out to ethnic minorities, despite continued death threats.