AN 84-YEAR-OLD woman was thrown into a pile of burning wood by 11 members of her family in Barangay Baliwagan, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.
The police identified the victim as Teofila Camungay, who died due to severe burns all over her body.
The 11 family members were cult members, one of whom was allegedly possessed by a spirit.
The 11 included the victim's four children and five grandchildren, one live-in partner of one of the daughters of the victim, and the brother of the said live-in partner.
The police have arrested seven of the 11 family members.
According to Balingasag Police Chief Major Teodoro de Oro, charges of parricide will be formally filed against the suspects.
De Oro said one of the arrested suspects, Crisanto Ercilla, the victim's grandson, is a self-proclaimed spiritual guru who was allegedly possessed by the spirit of Tomas Eugenio Sr., the founder of the Philippine Benevolent Christian Missionary (PBCM).
Ercilla was also the one who led the burning of Cabusas.
The police chief said that Ercilla urged his grandmother to join the group.
De Oro added that the other arrested suspects claimed that Ercilla told them that their grandmother is a sinner, which resulted in them throwing the victim into the fire. (SunStar Philippines)