Faith healer nabbed for hacking pal who ridiculed his ‘powers’

DIGOS CITY, Philippines – A 37-year-old pastor of Philippine Independent Church of Christ was arrested by police authorities in Malalag, Davao del Sur for allegedly hacking his drinking buddy and another man on Thursday evening, police said Friday.

Renato Campaner of Pito village allegedly got angry at Joel Melgo, 54, when Melgo reportedly belittled his supposed healing powers.

Campaner is a local faith healer, who uses the Bible in his activities, police records showed.

Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, provincial police director, said Melgo allegedly taunted Campaner while they were drinking liquor inside a local videoke bar.

Campaner, he said, got incensed when Melgo ridiculed his healing powers.

“When Melgo went home for dinner, he did not notice that Campaner followed him. As he was entering his house, the suspect hacked him several times with a scythe,” Dela Rosa said.

He said the victim was hit in the nape, left wrist and back portion of the body.

A neighbor of the victim’s, who was identified as Benedicto Langamon, 56, tried to pacify the pastor but he, too, was hacked by the suspect, Dela Rosa said.

The two victims were rushed to the Davao del Sur provincial hospital while Campaner was arrested by responding policemen, Dela Rosa added.

“We are preparing [to file] charges against [Campaner] before the prosecutor’s office,” he said.