Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – The Philippines has opened its first-ever exorcism center—also considered the first in Asia—which would serve as a formation hub for Catholic priests seeking to enter the exorcism ministry as Filipinos dabble with occult practices and even Satanism to cope with daily challenges.Home to more than 85 million Catholics, the country continues to see a rise in reported cases requiring exorcism, particularly among the youth, according to Rev. Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia, chief exorcist of the Archdiocese of Manila.The St. Michael Center for Spiritual Liberation, opened in February, houses several bedrooms for priests abroad who need to temporarily stay in Manila, a pantry, conference room, meeting rooms, a counseling room, a chapel, and a viewing room for the relatives of the possessed and observing priests-in-training.“This is also a center for the Philippine Association of Catholic Exorcists, parang headquarters dito. So we train priests from Asia, from the US also, they come here. The best way to learn is really to practice exorcism. The important thing is really to have a place wherein no one will be disturbed so isolated,” Syquia told ABS-CBN News in an interview on March 19.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/19/faith-vs-therapy-inside-the-philippine-school-for-exorcists-2213">Faith vs therapy: Inside the Philippine school for exorcists </a> </div>“Sa dati naming ginagawa, maraming  mga dumadating na retreatants, mga nagse-seminar, medyo delikado. Here we are isolated and we have proper facilities in order to train and also secure the case, yung mga kasong dumadating,” he added.The exorcism hub was named after St. Michael – the “first who fought the devil” under God’s banner when Satan rebelled in Heaven, said Syquia. The archangel is also considered the angel of spiritual warfare.He said the center was conceptualized after Church officials recognized the growing need for a dedicated headquarters for exorcists, providing a space where they can train “without distractions.” He added that priests have also faced challenges in securing appropriate venues to conduct exorcisms. In parishes across the country, Syquia, an exorcist for over 2 decades, said priests usually perform “first aid” to those found to be possessed by evil spirits. Serious cases, however, could be conducted in the facility for major exorcisms.Recently, some exorcisms were conducted in a secluded area within a seminary in Makati City. In more remote areas, he said, parishes and churches have also been used as venues—often in public settings, at times causing distress among parishioners. “Sa dami ng mga cases, we couldn’t really find a place. May mga parokya na ayaw nila ipagamit kasi nakakatakot… may sumisigaw diyan, and so we really had to find a place wherein the [place] is isolated, we can have that secure place,” he said.ACCESS ON THE OCCULT, SUPERSTITIONThe Philippines currently has over 250 exorcists, according to Manila’s chief exorcist, with many cases they respond to usually involving the youth.Asked if this figure is enough, he answered ABS-CBN News in the negative, citing the number of possession cases.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2025/10/27/karanasan-ng-mga-exorcist-sa-diyablo-third-eye-at-masamang-espiritu-sa-possessed-1545">Karanasan ng mga exorcist sa diyablo, third eye at masamang espiritu sa &#x27;Possessed&#x27;</a></div>“Nakaka-drain itong ministry. You are not dealing with a sickness. Hindi sakit ang kaharap mo,” said Syquia.“Ang kaharap mo ay isang nilalang ng Diyos na may kapangyarihan, may utak yan, mas magaling ang utak niya, mas magaling siya sa atin. At may kapangyarihan yan na mas malakas sa tao.” The Catholic Bishops&#x27; Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), he said, has been sending “more and more” priests to be trained under the Philippine Association of Catholic Exorcists (PACE) as part of the Church’s efforts to have more exorcists.Syquia attributed possession to an individual’s involvement in Satanism, occult practices, witchcraft, or superstition, which they supposedly do to cope with trauma.“Maraming kabataan na may trauma, usually they go to the occult as a form of healing or some form of power, magkaroon ng kapangyarihan para makaganti or para gumaling sila. Itong mga wounded na tao, may sugat sa buhay, they usually go to the occult in order to get some form of power there. Yun ang delikado,” he said.“A physiological, emotional problem can become a diabolical problem.”Instead of going to the Church, some individuals would rely on albularyos (faith healers) and other occult practitioners.“The question there always is: saan nanggagaling yung kapangyarihan? Because this is not the ministry of Christ. They were there even before the coming of Christianity kaya dun nagiging delikado, nagkakaroon ng contamination yung ating pananampalataya kapag Katoliko ka at itong mga pagan practices,” he said. Exorcism, however, involves more than prayers and sacred rites. Syquia said individuals believed to be possessed must first undergo preparation, including an initial interview to allow priests to properly assess their condition.After the rites, those affected are provided with psychosocial counseling, while priests also attend to their spiritual needs to help prevent possible recurrence.Possession usually takes place through what priests describe as an “opening” or circumstances that make a person vulnerable. Evil spirits usually attach to this, Syquia said, until they finally take over a person’s body.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/06/07/22/asias-first-center-for-exorcism-to-rise-in-ph">Asia&#x27;s first &#x27;center for exorcism&#x27; to rise in PH</a></div>“Kailangan niyan ng process: Spiritually, morally, emotionally, psychologically. Kasi pag inatake ng demonyo, it is not a hundred percent yan. Palaging may halo yan – emotional problem, moral problem, psychological… marami diyan may trauma, kaakit-akit sa masasamang espiritu,” he said.“They aggravate the emotions, nagiging talagang problematic yung tao and kapag pinagpe-pray over yan, hindi na-process yan, talagang magwawala yan,” he added. What is important, he said, is for priests and exorcists in every diocese to be trained for spiritual emergencies. “Kung alam mo ang gagawin mo, usually 30 minutes aalis na yung espiritu. Then [sa] possession, they refer to us. We will do the proper interview and kami mismo, we will give assignments and properly prepare the person. Kung pinray over mo lang yan, walang preparation, babalik lang yung masamang espiritu,” he said.“You have to know anong buhay ng taong ito, bakit pumasok ang masamang espiritu na ito. The person will have to close those doors. &#x27;Pag nag-pray over ang pari, it is Christ exorcising. Pag bumabalik ang spirit, it is because may disposition ang tao na kaakit-akit sa masasamang espiritu… kaya nagkakaroon sila ng kapangyarihan to take over the body.” Syquia said visiting the exorcism center would require prior scheduling.He also urged the public to confess their sins, attend Masses, and grow their spiritual relationship with God to remain in the state of grace.“Maraming anxieties, depressed, anger, sadness – those are emotions very attractive to the demons kaya kapag lagi kang negative, kumakapit sa’yo yan and later on mag-aggravate... hindi mo na control ang emotions mo,” he said.<div> </div>

The Philippines has opened its first-ever exorcism center—also considered the first in Asia—which would serve as a formation hub for Catholic priests seeking to enter the exorcism ministry as Filipinos dabble with occult practices and even Satanism to cope with daily challenges.

The Philippines has opened its first-ever exorcism center—also considered the first in Asia—which would serve as a formation hub for Catholic priests seeking to enter the exorcism ministry as Filipinos dabble with occult practices and even Satanism to cope with daily challenges.

Fighting the devil: Philippines opens first-ever exorcism center

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Fighting the devil: Philippines opens first-ever exorcism center

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 25, 2026 04:31 PM PHT

Read More:

St Michael Center for Spiritual Liberation

Holy Week

exorcism

Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia

St. Michael Center for Spiritual Liberation

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