Devotee in the Philippines nailed to cross

A Filipino devotee has been nailed to the cross for the 30th time in an Easter ritual — and offered his sacrifice for peace in Belgium and other countries targeted by Islamic extremists.

Ruben Enaje and several other men screamed in pain as they were nailed to wooden crosses in Pampanga province north of Manila in a reenactment of Jesus Christ’s death.

Thousands of tourists gathered to watch the ritual.

Enaje, a sign painter, says he also prayed for peaceful Philippine presidential elections this year and a better job.

The Good Friday ritual is opposed by religious leaders in the Philippines, Asia’s largest Roman Catholic nation, but the event has persisted.