The Pope's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, sent a telegram of condolences on behalf of the Holy Father to Msgr. Giuseppe Pinto, apostolic nuncio in Manila, following the attacks on the island of Mindanao, in the south of the country.
''The Holy Father was deeply saddened to learn of the senseless killing of innocent people in Mindanao, and he sends condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. His Holiness prays that security and safety will be established for all people in the region, so that dialogue, tolerance and peace may enable each person to live free from fear. He asks all believers to reject violence in the name of God who is love, and invokes abundant divine gifts of consolation, mercy and strength upon those affected by this tragedy.''
Nine civilians were killed Christmas Eve in Mindanao, a volatile region where the government is in peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The Christmas victims were shot by a breakaway Muslim group that is opposed to the peace talks, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. The Fighters killed seven farmers who were working in their rice paddies and two more people in a grenade attack at a church. Four of their own members were killed by army troops in the violence.
