Why would anyone think that torturing a kid to death is OK?
“A five-year-old child was beaten to death by his grandfather, three faith healers, and two minors during an alleged ritual in Pasacao, Camarines Sur,” reports Jonathan Magistrado on ABS-CBNnews.com.
The victim’s grandmother, Rita Ortogo asked her 12-year-old adopted son, Jack (not his real name), to babysit the victim while she sold charcoal in a neighboring village last Monday.
It was Jack who revealed to the police that after Rita left, they took the boy near a chapel where they hung him upside down, beat him, and strangled him. As if that wasn’t enough, they then took the severely injured boy and help him under water and stepped on his chest.
Police have arrested the victim’s grandfather, Arnold Ortogo and faith healers Maria, Joy and Arnulfo Armario. Along with Jack, the boy’s underage aunt was also involved in the grisly ritual. They have been placed under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The victim’s grandfather and the Armarios, meanwhile, will face homicide charges.
Later, Rita told the police that she believes the suspects “killed the boy to drive away the evil spirits supposedly haunting them.”
