Kibawe, Bukidnon — A 75-year-old woman met a gruesome and unjust end after being accused of witchcraft and burned alive by a man believed to be suffering from mental instability. Authorities and rights groups have condemned the horrific act, calling for justice and protection for the elderly and other vulnerable members of society.
According to Bukidnon Police spokesperson P/Major Jayvee Babaan, the incident occurred late morning on July 26 in a remote area of Kibawe. The suspect, identified only as “Berto,” 37, allegedly stopped the elderly woman — referred to as Lola Mameng — on a secluded path, accused her of being a “mangkukulam” or witch, and began beating her repeatedly with a dry coconut frond stick.
Witnesses said Lola Mameng never fought back. She was merely old — with no record of violence or wrongdoing, just a quiet presence in the community. But in the suspect’s eyes, distorted by years of drug abuse and apparent untreated mental illness, she became a figure of fear.
After rendering her unconscious, Berto reportedly piled dry coconut husks, leaves, and wood over her body and set her on fire. Authorities believe the victim was still alive when the suspect ignited the pile.
The brutality of the crime shocked even seasoned investigators. When police arrived days later, only scorched earth and fragments of bone remained — and a lingering stench of something unforgivable.
The suspect, a former drug user who had previously surrendered under the government’s drug campaign, turned himself in two days after the killing. He claimed that “the witch” had cursed him and was watching him through the eyes of his dead dog.
“This is not only a criminal act — it is an affront to human dignity,” said Major Babaan. “No one deserves to die this way, especially not someone who was simply old and vulnerable.”
Human rights advocates, social workers, and mental health professionals have since joined the growing outcry, condemning the crime and urging local governments to launch stronger campaigns against superstitious violence and improve access to mental health services in rural areas.
“This heinous killing underscores the dangers of allowing fear, ignorance, and untreated mental illness to fester in isolated communities,” said one provincial official. “We must break the silence around these beliefs that continue to justify senseless violence, especially against women and the elderly.”
As the suspect remains in police custody pending further investigation, Lola Mameng’s tragic death serves as a painful reminder of the deep work still needed to combat discrimination, neglect, and belief systems that dehumanize the most defenseless in our society.