960405

Eleven crucified in Philippines

CUTUD, (Philippines): Eleven people, including a Japanese national, were nailed to wooden crosses on Friday while dozens of others whipped their own backs to a bloody pulp as the Philippines exuberantly observed Good Friday.

Schinichiro Kaneko, a 28-year-old Japanese Catholic from Tokyo, screamed with pain as nails were hammered into his palm.

Thousands of tourists watched the spectacle under a scorching noon sun in a rice field outside the northern city of San Fernando.

"I take responsibility for all these troubles," Kaneko said in a statement as he absolved local officials from any blame if he died during the crucifixion.

Kaneko was nailed to the cross by Filipinos dressed as Roman centurions.

After 10 minutes, he was brought down and bowed courteously before spectators who had gathered for the gory annual re-enactment of Jesus Christ's crucifixion 2,000 years ago.

Local officials in Asia's only majority Catholic nation said the Kaneko wanted to be crucified as part of a religious vow to help his ailing 24-year-old brother. The illness of his brother was not immediately disclosed.

Those impaled were left on the cross for about 15 minutes before they were taken down and given local herbs to bind their wounds. The other 10 volunteers were Filipinos.

"Religion drives people too far," Antoinette Bruin, a 25-year-old secretary from Rotterdam, said after watching the crucifixions.

George Morgan, a 41-year-old businessman from London, was more worried about the risk of infection from the virus which can cause AIDS.

"It's very interesting to understand a bit of the local culture. I wasn't disappointed, but these people should be more careful about the HIV virus," he said.

Officials said they use only new, five-inch nails free of any possible disease.

Roland Ocampo, who has been nailed to the cross every Good Friday for the past seven years, defended the practice and said he would continue to be crucified as part of a vow to God.

"I am doing this because the birth of my wife went well," he told reporters while wincing in pain after his ordeal.

Hundreds of hooded Filipinos beat their their backs bloody with bamboo whips encrusted with glass shards as part of a rite of penance for favours granted by God, local officials said.-Reuter