http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWS/cult_jun19-ap.html

CEBU, Philippines (AP) -- At least 23 people were killed in two shooting incidents triggered by the arrest of a cult leader in the central Philippines, police said Wednesday.

The shootings late Tuesday represented one of the worst bouts of cult-related violence in recent years in this predominantly Roman Catholic country.

At least 16 members of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association were killed when they shot it out with police trying to arrest their leader on Dinagat island in central Surigao del Norte province, police chief superintendent Alberto Olario said.

A police officer was killed and two others wounded in the gun battle.

They were among 150 officers who had come to arrest cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr., whose members are said to believe that his father is a reincarnation of Jesus Christ.

Ecleo, who is accused of killing his wife, later surrendered to authorities.

-snip-

Religious cults that embrace a blend of Christianity and local beliefs are prevalent in the Philippines, specially in rural areas. Beliefs include amulets that protect people from bullets and sword attacks.

===== Those amulets obviously don't work very well.

-- Ron of that ilk.

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