Was there an “Exorcism” at BDF Camp?
The Belize Defense Force has issued a statement on a video in wide circulation on social media which purports to show a soldier being possessed by a spirit. Described as an exorcism by many who have watched the short clip, the press release confirms that the incident happened on Tuesday night and that it was in fact a prayer session being held for the soldier who sought intercession with a superior officer. Earlier today, News Five spoke with Acting Chief of Staff, Major Rogelio Pop. He explains what took place that night and why the soldier sought spiritual help.
On the phone: Maj. Rogelio Pop, Acting Chief of Staff, BDF
On the phone: Maj. Rogelio Pop
“From the initial canvass that we did of the situation, we spoke to some of the persons that are involved and especially to the soldier himself. We are led to believe that it was a voluntary choice by the soldier to reach out to one of his superior officers for some sort of prayer because he was facing some personal issues at the time. I think he is involved in some, or he is experiencing some personal issues that involves probably his family, his career and all of those things. So that’s why he reached out to a person and it is normal. We at the higher level of the organization normally provide some sort of guidance based on our experiences and stuff like that to deal with issues, especially as it relates to our subordinates.”
Isani Cayetano
“So, just to be clear, it’s not as if though perhaps some kind of evil spirit or force was being removed or prayed away, in a manner of speaking, from this individual. Correct? Is it that he was simply seeking some kind of prayer assistance or intervention?”
On the phone: Maj. Rogelio Pop
“Yes, that is what we are led to believe. We have since spoken to the soldier and he is in good health but he has been experiencing some challenges with respect to his personal life. His career obviously is in some sort of jeopardy because of all of those things and it probably compounded and then he was seeking some sort of guidance from the person he trusted. I believe the officer in question is a strong follower of a religious faith and so, in that sense he sought out the superior officer and they had some, they shared some prayer intercessions and he then informed us that he lost some memory of the event. He only woke up as an apparent individual. What we have not been able to confirm is whether the person was under the influence of any alcohol because there was no testing done at the time and it’s long overdue so there’s no way for us to really confirm or deny that there was some substance of like alcohol involved.”
The B.D.F. informs all concerned that what is shown in the video is not an official method of care provided by the organization for any of its members.
