Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association
A church that has committed mass murder and infiltrated the local government
1965 - present
When Ruben Ecleo Jr became the new leader of the church that his father started, it wasn't very long before he started getting into some shady business. While running his church, he also became the mayor of San Jose and orchestrated a scheme that would later cause him to be sentenced to thirty years in prison. After this, he developed a drug addiction and murdered his wife. However, even with his corruption, he still had millions of people who swore an oath to him and were willing to die for him.
When the police came to arrest him, his followers stood by his side, launching an attack against the authorities, which killed 23 people. They went on to kill the family of his dead wife and members of other religious sects. Because of the devotion of his violent followers, Ecleo Jr has not been caught and is still on the run.
Religion: Syncretist
Founder: Ruben Edera Ecleo Sr.
Founded: 1965
Location: Dinagat, Philippines
Size: 1 Million
Immediate family members of founder Ecleo Sr. have taken positions in the local government (source)
Their large amount of revenue, along with their influence over the community, has allowed them to become "virtually a little government" (source)
Leader Ecleo Jr was convicted of government corruption (source)
Founder Ecleo Sr. was a "Christ-like" figure, with the ability to materialize anywhere at will (source)
Leader Ecleo Jr. murdered his wife Alona (source)
When authorities attempted to arrest Ecleo Jr, 2,000 members surrounded his mansion and shot at the authorities, causing a battle that killed 23 people (source)
A member murdered three members of Alona's family (source)
Killed eleven members of rival cult Pulahan, including the leader, after Pulahan launched an attack against them (source)
Members are willing to die for their leader and have taken an oath to protect him (source)