Two die in healing priest's Olongapo vigil

Two persons died as thousands of people flocked to the Holy Trinity Parish in Olongapo City to have themselves treated by "miraculous" healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez, ABS-CBN News reported Sunday.

The report said the faithful, mostly ill people hoping to be healed by Suarez, started crowding the parish in New Cabalan village Saturday morning.

At 7 a.m., victim Victoria Umali was rushed to the hospital after suffering from a heart attack due to congestion of people waiting for the priest.

She died while being treated at a local hospital.

The second fatality was identified as Juanito Eleazar. He died at 2 p.m.

Aside from the two victims, several people reportedly collapsed due to intense heat.

Despite the incidents, people continued to flock to the church to get a glimpse of the healing priest. The crowd was estimated at 10,000.

Organizers appealed to the crowd to avoid pushing others to prevent injuries.

Some of the faithful, however, scored the organizers for lack of security measures.

ABS-CBN News tried but failed to reach Fr. Suarez for comment.

The Canada-based priest has been performing faith healing in the Philippines and the United States.

He began his "healing sessions" in the Philippines on January 11 at his Montemaria shrine in Batangas City. The Mass was officiated by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales.

The Catholic Church has since confirmed that Suarez's healing sessions are authentic.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, meanwhile, said it remains "watchful" of the priest's healing Masses and sessions. ABS-CBN