Philippines: 300 Christians form armed militia Pulahan to defend themselves against Islamic jihadists
A new militia comprising about 300 armed “Christians” has emerged in the Muslim-majority, conflict-ridden Central Mindanao region in southern Philippines, and it says it’s training to fight local terror groups and those claiming allegiance to the Islamic State.
Declaring themselves as “Pulahan,” which translates as “Red Warriors of God” or “Red God Defenders,” the group made their first appearance before media this week, according to reports, which say their soldiers burned an Islamic State flag, also known as ISIS or ISIL.
“We are not an assault force. We just want to defend our land,” a middle-aged man, who identified himself as Brother Asiong, told CNN Philippines.
The group, with mostly local farmers as its member, seeks to defend their lands and families from the atrocities of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, or BIFF, a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF, which has killed civilians in their attacks on local communities, according to Inquirer.