Skip to content
TrackPodcasts
historyNov 11, 202535:28pending

Philippines: The Priest Who Killed 57 Parishioners

About this episode

In 1826, a chilling discovery marred the serene backdrop of a Philippine parish. Father Juan Severino Mallari... The trusted priest of quiet parish life horrified his community. Allegations of murder, cloaked in piety and blood-soaked garb, astonished parishioners in 1826 after dozens of missing individuals were linked back to him. Father Juan Severino Mallari's dual life exploded into one of the most chilling tales of Philippine criminal history. Foul Play Season 36 uncovers global tales of historic crime in its quest for dark truths. Episode 7 ventures into the labyrinth of false piety and betrayal during a tumultuous period in Philippine history. Mallari, before his grim unveiling, was cherished for his calming influence and administrative acumen. Born to a world steeped in faith, he expressed compassion and dedication to his flock. Yet a darker side simmered beneath, belying the trust and reverence his position commanded. His betrayal went beyond the shocking number of victims; it was an affront against an unsuspecting community, eroding the sacred trust usually reposed in religious guardians. The reverberations of Father Mallari's crimes seeded long-lasting distrust in clerical institutions, permanently altering religious landscapes. Detectives of the time, grappling with rudimentary investigative tools, found themselves piecing together fragmented parishioner testimonies and material evidence pointing to chilling conclusions. The cache of bloodstained clothing and stifled whispers about vanished village members painted a damning picture. During the early 1800s, the Philippines was a colony under Spanish rule, marked by rigid social structures and ecclesiastical dominance. In such an atmosphere, Mallari's transgressions sowed discord, challenging ecclesiastical and imperial authority and heralding changes in public consciousness. Tune into this episode to explore the sinister secrets behind cloistered walls, with a narrative enriched by authentic accounts and historical accuracy. Unmask the twisted reality behind a revered facade where justice, however belated, sought to restore balance. --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/foul-play/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play-crime-series/id1525832703 Follow us: Instagram: @foulplaycrimeseries Twitter: @foulplaypod

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Get every episode summarized

Each time Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

No transcript yet

This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.

Philippines: The Priest Who Killed 57 Parishioners

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast

0:00
35:28

More episodes

More from Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast

View all episodes →