Faith healer 'rapes' patients, tells them it's 'spiritual duty'

CEBU, Philippines —  An alleged cult leader and faith healer in Asturias town, midwest Cebu is facing three counts of rape for allegedly engaging in sexual acts with his victims by telling them that it was their “spiritual obligation.”

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Central Visayas filed three counts of rape against Terorico Feriol who works as a faith healer under a group called Higawnon Spiritual Consultation Services.

Investigation revealed that Feriol would allegedly deceive the victims, mostly having illnesses, into believing that the sexual act is a spiritual obligation as he presented himself as “Dios Amahan.”

NBI-7 agents also found out that Feriol had victimized several women and impregnated some of them.

The arrest of the accused stemmed from a complaint of a 32-year-old female, a married one, and a 17-year-old minor, last November 24.

The agent on case, Agapito Guerran, said the crime was committed last 2020.

“Per our investigation daghan na ni nanganha sa iya for different illnesses. Makaayo man pud daw pero pag nagustohan na niya ang iyang nga pasyente, pag maayo ka, i-require ka niya to go on a mission,” said Guerran.

(According to our investigation, he was often visited by persons with different illnesses in the hopes he could heal them. There were reports some were healed but if he liked his patient, he would require her to go on a “mission.”)

The two complainants claimed that they were sexually abused when they were allegedly conducting their “mission.”

In their investigation, Guerran found that the accused further claimed that he had “seven virgins” to deceive the patients into going on a “mission” with him. To further lure the victims, the accused would tell them the patient he desired that she looked like one of the “virgins.”

“Maayo pud siya modala og duwa-duwa ba, joke-joke. As a matter of fact, during the incident sa pagpang-rape aning minor, katong on the act na jud siya sa pang-abuso, nireklamo ning bata, niingon ang (accused), ‘Hayaan mo lang, nak, kay pagbuot na sa ispiritohanon,” said Guerran.

(He was good at fooling people, joking around. In fact, when this minor was raped, the child complained but the accused only told her, “Just let it be, child. It’s the will of the spirit.”)

The minor had consulted the healer after complaining of a loss of appetite and smell, which they thought were signs of COVID-19.

The victim reportedly approached the suspect hoping to get well. She was allegedly asked to drink some liquid. However, after drinking, she felt weak and groggy, which was the only thing she remembered.

The 32-year-old complainant, on the other hand, was raped twice by the accused who allegedly threatened her not to speak up because he had “several connections.”

The accused, for his part, allegedly denied the allegations thrown at him. — JMD (FREEMAN)