‘Ascertain facts before concluding’

CEBU, Philippines - Before jumping into conclusions on the presence of a witch or some supernatural creatures, residents and officials of Barangay Buhisan, Cebu City must first establish facts and rule out all natural possibilities.

This was the advice of Monsignor Joseph Tan, Archdiocese of Cebu spokesperson, following reports of a supposed witch made residents of Sitio Puso, Buhisan worry for their safety.

“I think it is important to establish the facts first to know what the situation is about. It is given that some people would assume something supernatural, especially when stories spread with revised and sometimes bloated details,” Tan told The FREEMAN.

The barangay officials and the nearest parish, he said, should work together in investigating the claims of the residents by checking on the personalities involved and investigating their backgrounds, especially that of those who claimed to have seen the witch.

“If there are obvious signs of supernatural phenomenon, the first thing that they need to do is to bring this to the attention of the parish priest. They (barangay officials and residents) should contact him. Maybe the parish priest could see and discern if it is indeed of supernatural nature,” Tan said.

The archdiocesan spokesperson further said that the “church has never denied that supernatural phenomenon happen.”

“You just have to be very careful not to rush into concluding. We have to exercise caution if it is really witchcraft, something from the devil, and not a product of psychological situation or even induced by drug use. The supernatural must come after exhausting all possible explanation. If ever naa proof of the allegation, the parish priest can perform ceremonies like blessing the area or something in order to address the situation,” he further said.

Thorough assessment of all possible explanation, he added, is needed so that panic and hysteria will not happen.

“These stories could trigger the imagination of some. If you look closely into these claims, like diabolical possession of some sort, some turn out to be drug-related or that of those who need psychological treatment,” Tan said.

“While we believe the presence of supernatural beings, we have to rule out every possible scenario,” he said, adding that he hoped the phenomenon is just a “misunderstanding.”

He also urged the public to remain prayerful. — Jessa J. Agua/RHM (FREEMAN)