KRIMINAL: The first Filipino serial killer

Summary

This episode of Rappler's True Crime podcast explores the chilling story of Juan Severino Maliari, considered the first documented Filipino serial killer. A parish priest in early 1800s Magalang, Pampanga, Maliari allegedly murdered 57 parishioners over a decade to save his ill mother, whom he believed was bewitched. Despite his mental illness, he was imprisoned and executed by Spanish authorities. The podcast delves into his complex character as both an accomplished calligraphic artist and a troubled individual, examining the intersections of mental health, cultural beliefs, colonial justice, and historical documentation, while urging a compassionate and nuanced understanding of his life and actions.

Takeaways

• 🕵️ Father Juan Severino Maliari is considered the first documented Filipino serial killer, active during the early 1800s in Magalang, Pampanga.
• 💔 He allegedly murdered 57 people over a decade, believing it would save his ailing mother, whom he thought was bewitched.
• ⛪ Maliari was a parish priest and also an accomplished calligraphic artist, known for religious-themed engravings and decorating parish reports.
• 🖌️ His artistic works, including flowery vines and angels, are preserved in the Archives of the Archdiocese of Manila.
• 🧠 Maliari suffered from mental instability, likely psychosis, exacerbated by personal stress and his mother’s illness.
• ⚖️ Despite Spain’s advanced psychiatric care, Maliari was arrested and imprisoned like a regular criminal, never receiving proper mental health intervention.
• ⛓️ He spent 14 years in jail and was executed by hanging in 1840, decades before the Gomburza priests were executed.
• 📚 Historical records about Maliari are limited, but research by scholars like Dr. Luciano Santiago and Robbie Tantinko provides insight into his life and crimes.
• 🎙️ Media and public storytelling about Maliari should balance factual reporting with ethical sensitivity, avoiding sensationalism.
• 🤔 Maliari’s case highlights the complexity of human behavior: he was simultaneously a priest, artist, mental health patient, and criminal, showing that people are rarely purely good or evil.
• 🩸 His story raises discussions on colonial justice, mental health treatment, and the moral responsibility of individuals with psychological disorders.
• 📢 Scholars emphasize presenting Maliari’s story accurately without using it to attack contemporary priests or oversimplify historical context.

Q & A

Who was Father Juan Severino Maliari and why is he historically significant?

Father Juan Severino Maliari was a parish priest in early 19th-century Pampanga, Philippines. He is historically significant for being one of the earliest documented Filipino serial killers and is also recognized as a calligraphy artist and priest executed by Spanish authorities.

What was the motive behind Father Maliari's alleged murders?

Father Maliari reportedly believed that killing his parishioners would save his ill mother, whom he thought had been bewitched. His actions were influenced by his mental instability and the stress of his mother's illness.

How many people did Father Maliari allegedly murder, and over what time period?

He allegedly murdered 57 people over a span of 10 years in the town of Magalang, Pampanga.

What were some of the challenges Father Maliari faced in his priesthood career?

Father Maliari faced repeated rejections for parish positions in Bataan, Lubao, and Cavite before being appointed priest of San Bartolome Parish in Magalang in 1812.

What evidence exists regarding Father Maliari's mental health?

Historical accounts and experts, such as Dr. Luciano Santiago, suggest that Father Maliari suffered from psychosis, which was worsened by personal stress and his mother's illness. His mental condition was not properly addressed by Spanish authorities.

How did the Spanish colonial authorities handle Father Maliari's case?

Despite the existence of psychiatric institutions in Spain, Father Maliari was treated like a common criminal, imprisoned, and eventually executed in 1840 without access to mental health care.

In addition to his priesthood, what was Father Maliari known for in the arts?

Father Maliari was known for his calligraphic drawings, particularly decorating annual parish reports (Planes de Almas) with subjects like flowery vines and angels in clouds. Some of his works are preserved in the Archives of the Archdiocese of Manila.

Why do experts caution against sensationalizing Father Maliari's story?

Experts warn that sensationalizing the story as just a 'serial killer priest' overlooks the complexities of his mental illness, personal circumstances, and the colonial legal system. The focus should be on historical accuracy and context rather than shock value.

How does Father Maliari's case reflect broader issues of mental health and justice in colonial Philippines?

His case demonstrates how mental health issues were often ignored, even when psychiatric care existed. The Spanish authorities treated him as a criminal rather than a patient, highlighting systemic injustices in colonial legal and medical practices.

What are the three reasons Father Maliari is remembered in history?

First, he is among the first Filipino calligraphic artists and priests. Second, he is believed to be the first Filipino priest executed by Spanish colonizers. Third, he is one of the earliest documented serial killers in the Philippines.

What do experts suggest regarding the interpretation of Father Maliari as a victim or villain?

Experts suggest that while his deeds were harmful, he was likely not entirely responsible due to his mental illness. Both he and his victims can be seen as victims of circumstance, and the story should be presented with compassion and historical accuracy.

Did Father Maliari act alone in his crimes?

There is some speculation that his family may have aided him, but historical records are inconclusive. Experts recommend presenting the story based on available data rather than filling in gaps with speculation.