A “CULT leader” who is also believed to be a faith healer is being accused of raping his “patients” in Asturias, Cebu.
The National Bureau of Investigation Central Visayas (NBI 7) has studied the whereabouts of the faith healer after it received a complaint from two females who claimed that they were raped by him after he “healed” them.
The 32-year-old and the 17-year-old are said to have also served in the cult.
The victims filed their complaint before the NBI 7 on Dec. 1, 2021 and narrated what the suspect, Teodoro Rico “Brod Doring” Feriol, did to them.
Known as the leader of the “Higawnon Spiritual Consultation Services,” Feriol resides in a temple in Sitio Udlom 2, Barangay San Isidro, Asturias.
“Virgin wives”
Aside from being a faith healer, Feriol is also reportedly known as a fortune teller, feng shui expert, spiritual warrior and is called “god the father” who claims to have seven virgins as his wives.
According to the minor, she had a fever and went to Feriol to be healed on Nov. 2, 2020.
She said Feriol made her drink from a blue cup, after which she went unconscious. After about 30 minutes, she awoke and he was on her. She tried to stop him but Feriol insisted it was what the “holy spirit” ordered.
The minor added that there are several others who have fallen victim to Feriol, including the 32-year-old who was allegedly raped twice by the suspect.
They said they could not report him to the police before because he woud threaten them.
The minor started serving Feriol on July 25, 2020 as his assistant.
“My father would catch me talking to someone even though I was alone. That’s why he brought me to the healer. Feriol gave me a mission because according to him, I am St. Barbara and I could help him because I have a third eye,” the minor said in Cebuano.
She said after having witnessed more of these incidents during the time she served, she realized what Feriol was doing was wrong.
Seeking justice
The victim’s family hopes justice will be served and the suspect will be punished.
Lawyer Rennan Oliva, NBI 7 director, said: “For those who join groups like this one, let’s discern, let us exercise prudence to check if the intention to help is pure. Well and good if it is, but in the case of these victims, they were taken advantage of.”
The suspect was charged with two counts of rape under Republic Act 8353 and Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. (ANV / CCP)