Witches common on Philippine island

SIQUIJOR, Philippines, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Sorcery, both for good and evil, is a familiar part of life for people living in the Philippines' Siquijor province.

Throughout the Philippines, Siquijor province is synonymous with witches, healers and demons for many people, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

Magic on the island province consists mainly of traditional cultural beliefs that have existed in the Philippines for centuries. When Catholicism was introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century, locals began to mix their ancient practices with their new religion.

Many witches in Siquijor are devote Catholics who use Catholic imagery in their sorcery.

"It's good that the witches are going to church, and we try to steer them away from magic," said the Rev. Larry Catubig, the senior Catholic priest on the island. "But when they go back into the mountains, we have no control over what they do."

Richard Quezon, mayor of the capital town, also named Siquijor, said he used to be terrified of evil witches said to live in the mountains, located in the middle of the island.

Dark witches in Siquijor mostly perform love spells for distraught ex-lovers and their fees can be up to $700.

Healers on the island treat all sorts of ailments for people. Quezon said he went to a witch because of a skin condition that wouldn't go away.

"The medicine from the pharmacy didn't work, but the herbs and spells from the healer worked right away," he said. "Some things science can't explain."