Tadtad

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Tadtad
Also known asSagrado Corazon Señor (official)
Foundation1972
CountryPhilippines
IdeologyAnti-communism
Ethno-nationalism

Tadtad, officially Sagrado Corazon Señor (SCS), is a far-right[1] Christian ethno-nationalist organization in the Philippines which also functioned as a paramilitary organization. It is often characterized as a cult.[2][3][4][5][6]

Bato dela Rosa, who is a current Philippine senator, was a chief handler of the group during the 80's.[7]

History[edit]

Tadtad (officially Sagrado Corazon Señor) was established in 1972 in Initao, Misamis Oriental by Sagrado Sade Jr.[8]

Beliefs and rites[edit]

An applicant seeking to join Tadtad had to go under an initiation rite to be able to join the group. Their inner arm had to be struck with a sharp sword at least 12 times. If the individual don't exhibit any visible cut, the applicant is deemed fit to become a member; if the sword made a cut, it is considered as a sign that the applicant has a dark side and therefore unfit to join.[4][8]

The group's members hold their founder Sagrado Sade Jr. with high reverence and calls him Papa Sagrado. Members pray to Sade similar in a way Roman Catholics ask for intercession through its saints. According to the Tadtad, when Sade was baptized as an infant the priest sensed "something holy" about the baby which led him being named "Sagrado" (Sade was supposedly to be named "Ramonito"). Sade grew up to becoming a faith healer and gained reputation in Mindanao after reportedly curing many before he founded the Tadtad.[8]

Many members are also Roman Catholics themselves and go to mainstream churches and observe the relevant religious holidays despite their affiliation with Tadtad. Tadtad members hold do additional observances which set them apart from mainstream Roman Catholicism. They pray every three hours on their own and on Fridays, they congregate in their chapel to pray together. They consider acts such as smoking, drinking alcohol, gambling as sinful.[8]

The Tadtad are also known for their usage of amulets along with their prayer and faith to protect themselves from bodily injury including those caused by bullets.[8]

Armed activity[edit]

The Tadtad fought against the New People's Army (NPA) as well as went after suspected members and sympathizers of the Communist rebel group.[5][9] They also fought against Moro rebels in the 1970s.[2][10]

The Philippine Army and a splinter group of the Tadtad called the Christian God Spirit had an armed encounter in Pangantucan, Bukidnon on August 11, 2000. The fighting ensued after soldiers tried to serve a warrant of arrest against their leader Alfredo Opciona for charges of attempted murder. The incident caused the death of sixteen Tadtad members, three members of the army auxiliary group and one civilian.[2]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mydans, Seth; Times, Special To the New York (April 4, 1987). "RIGHT-WING VIGILANTES SPREADING IN PHILIPPINES". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "20 Killed as Filipino Troops Battle Cultists". Los Angeles Times. August 13, 2000.
  3. ^ Kowalewski, David (1991). "Cultism, Insurgency, and Vigilantism in the Philippines". Sociological Analysis. 52 (3): 241–253. doi:10.2307/3711360. ISSN 0038-0210. JSTOR 3711360. Retrieved August 27, 2022. notorious vigilante cult, Tadtad
  4. ^ a b "Man who killed wife, kids was Tadtad cultist". Sunstar. September 2, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "killing of religious cult members in cebu believed to be npa reprisal". UCA News. June 10, 1986. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  6. ^ Lauro, Paul; Sararana, Pegeen Maisie (April 23, 2021). "One dead, two wounded in armed encounter in Liloan". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  7. ^ "32-year old film on aftermath of Marcos rule headlines Daang Dokyu Film Festival". Philstar Life. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e ""Tadtad"". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. August 4, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  9. ^ Carey, Sabine. "Sagrado Corazon / Tadtad (Philippines)". Pro-Government Militias Guidebook. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  10. ^ "Cult clash leaves 20 dead". BBC News. August 12, 2000. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
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