(Compass) – A small group of Christians from the Sama tribe in the southern Philippines are living in fear after a fellow church member was murdered in late February. Mr. Angelada was killed by unknown assailants following his involvement in a land dispute with Muslims of the Tausug tribe. The Sama community lives on land the government loaned the tribe years ago. In January, the landowner started to develop the land, but said the Sama could stay if they paid an appropriate price. Angelada said he would fight for the SamaΒs right to remain on the land without payment. He was killed two weeks later. Meanwhile another Muslim-background believer, shot in November 2004, is still recovering after a bullet lodged in his lower spine, leaving him partially paralyzed.
