The Possession of Clarita Villanueva

In 1953, Clarita Villanueva, a seventeen-year-old inmate at Manila’s Bilibid Prison, became the victim of attacks by invisible entities. Bite marks appeared on her body as witnesses watched helplessly, making this one of the most documented possession cases in Philippine history.

The Prisoner

Clarita was arrested for vagrancy and held at Bilibid Prison. She had been involved in spiritualism and claimed to have contacted spirits before her incarceration. The attacks began shortly after her arrival.

The Attacks

Guards and officials watched as bite marks appeared on Clarita’s neck, arms, and shoulders. The marks showed distinct teeth patterns, though no one was near her. She screamed that invisible creatures were attacking her.

The Witnesses

Police, prison officials, doctors, and journalists witnessed the attacks. Dr. Mariano Lara, Chief Medical Examiner of the Manila Police, documented the bite marks and testified that they could not have been self-inflicted.

The Deliverance

Evangelical missionary Lester Sumrall visited the prison after reading about the case. He prayed for Clarita, and the attacks ceased. She was released from prison and reportedly lived normally afterward.

Assessment

The Clarita Villanueva case is remarkable for the number of credible witnesses who observed the attacks in real-time. The physical evidence of bite marks appearing spontaneously before observers has never been explained.