An alleged leader of a religious cult ordered the burning of his mother in a "death ritual" in Baliwagan, a remote village in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental on Sunday, August 28.
Teofila Cabusas, 84, a grandmother, died a day after she was rushed to a hospital here with severe burns on her face and various parts of her body.
Police investigators on Tuesday charged 15 members of the family with parricide after the victim's grandchildren turned state witnesses while pointing to the victim's son as the main culprit for the burning of the octogenarian matriarch.
According to a report, 29-year-old Crisanto Ercilla Cabusas, the alleged cult leader, ordered his uncles, in-laws, sisters and nephews to throw his mother into the bonfire.
Cabusas and 14 other family members have been invited by the police for questioning based on the complaints filed by the victim's grandchildren.
Maj. Teodoro de Oro, Balingasag police chief, said that they have Nicolas Camongay Cabusas, Reymar Carlo Cabosas, Charlie Cabusas, Rayna Cabusas, Jocelyn Cabusas and Romeo Cabusas Ercilla under their custody. Still at large were Rosalinda Cabusas, Merlinda Cabusas, Jesee Ercilla and Giselle Ercilla.
Initial investigation disclosed that the suspects led by Crisanto danced around the bonfire and stamped their feet before they performed the "death ritual."
"It was in the middle of the ritual that Crisanto reportedly ordered to throw the matriarch into the fire because of her sins," de Oro said.
One of the grandchildren managed to get away and reported the incident to the police.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/31/news/regions/cult-leader-orders-burning-of-mother/1856624
