The Aswang is a supernatural creature that frequently appears in the traditional beliefs of Filipino communities, particularly among Christians.
Despite various depictions, Ramos, in his work The Aswang Complex in Philippine Folklore, categorizes the Aswang into five main types: (a) blood-sucking demons, (b) organ-eating predators, (c) monsters, (d) flesh-eating ghouls, and (e) shamans.
Legends of the Aswang persist in whispers and hushed conversations among villagers. This creature is described as a bloodthirsty being capable of shape-shifting, deception, and preying on humans.
Feared for its malevolence, the Aswang is often seen as a harbinger of death. Tales of this creature have been passed down through generations, becoming haunting bedtime stories that keep children close to their parents at night.
A Timeless Filipino Myth
The story of the Aswang has been documented in historical records since the Spanish colonization of the Philippines in the 15th and 16th centuries. Spanish missionaries called it a "local superstition" and even associated it with demons that contradicted Christian teachings.
Over time, the Aswang has survived through various historical periods—from the Spanish and American colonial eras to the Japanese occupation during World War II, and even through Philippine independence and the wave of nationalism under the Marcos regime. Gradually, it has evolved beyond a mere local myth to become an integral part of Filipino cultural identity.
Ramos's research, which documents folklore from various regions—including farming villages, fishing communities, and urban centers - reveals the widespread presence of this legend throughout the country.
The Immortal Terror of the Aswang
Despite variations in storytelling, the Aswang is universally recognized by its defining characteristics: a terrifying creature that roams by night, with sharp fangs and claws, and wings that allow it to fly from place to place—much like the Western myth of Dracula.
What makes it even more terrifying is the belief that it has almost no weaknesses. Unlike European vampires, some accounts suggest that the Aswang is immune to garlic and silver—two items traditionally believed to repel nocturnal creatures.
Though its popularity has waned with modernization and technological advances, the Aswang remains a deeply ingrained symbol of fear, passed down through generations.
The CIA’s Weapon in Psywar
Regardless of whether the legend of the Aswang is real, the fact remains that this creature was once used as a tool in the CIA’s psychological warfare (psywar) strategy.
In the 1950s, the Philippines faced an insurgency from the Hukbalahap (Huks), a communist guerrilla group that had originally fought against Japanese occupation but later turned against the Philippine government after independence.
To weaken the insurgents, CIA agent Edward Lansdale exploited the people’s fear of the Aswang as a psychological weapon.
The CIA and the Philippine military launched a covert operation: they abducted a Huk soldier, killed him in secret, and staged the scene to make it appear as though he had fallen victim to an Aswang attack—his body was drained of blood and left with wounds resembling the bites of a wild creature.
Rumors quickly spread among the guerrillas, triggering widespread fear. Many Huk fighters became so terrified that they abandoned the area.
Within a few years, the Huk movement weakened, and its leader, Luis Taruc, surrendered in 1954. This strategy serves as an example of how myths can be weaponized for military purposes.
From Myth to Pop Culture
The presence of the Aswang has appeared frequently in various forms of media. It has been the subject of tabloid reports—despite a lack of concrete evidence-and has also been adapted into novels, comic books, television series, and films, further cementing its place in popular culture.
In the Philippine film industry, particularly in Tagalog-language cinema, the Aswang is a recurring theme. For example, the horror anthology Shake, Rattle & Roll II (1990) featured the creature, while the film Aswang (2011) was a remake of a 1992 film of the same name.
Over time, depictions of the Aswang have expanded into various genres. Ang Darling Kong Aswang (2009) portrayed it in a comedic light, while Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang (2012) mixed horror with a romantic storyline.
