Socorro 'cult' leader attends Senate hearings, young witnesses come forward

Jey Rence Quilario, or "Senior Agila," the leader of the alleged cult in the town of Socorro, Surigao del Norte has attended last week's Senate hearing on the supposed abuse and illegal activities of his group.

He was summoned by Senate Committees following the alleged operation of a shabu laboratory in the province, alleged systematic rape, sexual abuse, trafficking, forced labor, and child marriage involving the group.

In the previous episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," former members of Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI) narrated their experiences during their stay at the Sitio Kapihan, saying that Senior Agila persuaded them to join after an earthquake struck their town in 2019.

"Beth" and "Gemma" said that the leader claimed that there would be an aftershock and a tsunami in their town, and if they refused to come with him to Sitio Kapihan, they would go to hell.

Senior Agila was able to recruit over 5,000 members who resigned from their jobs after he promised them spots in heaven.

The former members said that there are cases of alleged rape, sexual abuse, forced labor, and forced marriage of minors in the group.

According to this week's episode of "KMJS," Senior Agila and his team traveled to Manila to attend the Senate investigation.

While the leader was being questioned, the town of Socorro looked like a ghost town, with classes suspended and some of the municipality's activities canceled.

Almost every resident tuned in to the hearing as the alleged cult leader addressed the allegations.

In the hearing, a new witness came forward.

Fifteen-year-old "Jane" said that she was forced into marriage by Senior Agila last year.

In her testimony, she said that she was paired with a stranger who was an 18-year-old boy at the time.

"Hindi ko po siya kilala," the minor said, saying Senior Agila was the one who chose who she would marry.

["I didn't know who I was getting married to."]

She said Senior Agila called his secretary and asked to list the names of girls aged 12 years and older and boys aged 18 years and older.

"Jane" added that Senior Agila ordered that after the wedding ceremony, the union must be consummated within three days, and they cannot say no.

"After sa kasal, kailangan silang magsiping. At sinabi daw ni Jey Rence na authorized ka nang kunin or i-rape 'yang wife mo kasi kasal naman kayo," her companion said as she translated "Jane's" words.

["They have to have sex after the wedding day. Jey Rence said that the man can rape his wife since they're already married."]

"Sasabihin na maiimpiyerno sila 'pag hindi sila pumayag," she added.

["They said that you will go to hell if you don't follow."]

Senior Agila denied these allegations.

"Hindi po 'yan totoo, Your Honor," he said. "Hindi ko po magagawa."

["Those are not true, Your Honor. I cannot do that."]

"Jane" also revealed that even the leader himself asked to have sex with her.
"Palagi siyang kinukulit, Your Honor, na mag-consent na pero ayaw niya. Kasi sabi daw, 'Panginoon na 'yung nag-ask,'" her companion said.

["The leader kept asking her to have sex with him, Your Honor but she refused. She was told it's God's order."]

Aside from "Jane", "Renz," a 12-year-old boy, also appeared before the Senate investigation with the guidance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

"Renz" said that aside from being forced to work in Sitio Kapihan, he was also trained to handle guns together with ten other minors.

"Sa barracks namin, naghahakot kami ng buhangin at ina-attendance," "Renz" said, adding that they were asked to gather sand for their barracks.

["Back in the barracks, we would haul sand and our attendance is required."]

"'Yung nagshu-shooting daw kami na parang nagmi-military training. Mga props lang 'yun," Senior Agila defended, but "Renz" and "Jane" said that the guns were real.

["They say that they're undergoing military training but those are just props."]
In its assessment, the National Bureau of Investigation likewise that the guns were real.

"Definitely we can say that hindi 'yan gawa ng wood. We assure that is really a real gun. That's our assessment. And the men behind, well, para talagang private army. Kasi long fire arms. Naka combat uniform."

["They're real guns. They're not made of wood. They were like a private army— they had long firearms and combat uniforms."]

Moreover, the minors said that if they didn't follow Senior Agila's commands, they were punished.

"Tatalikod sila. Kung saan mapunta 'yung pinaikot mo, may nakalista — mga jogging, restricted sa foxhole," Jane said, saying she experienced being paddled.

"Sa pwet, 'yung kahoy na parang baril na mataas. Rifle," she added.

["They will be forced to jog, be restricted in the foxhole, depending on what's on the list. I experienced being paddled on the butt using a wooden rifle."]

Because the children in Sitio Kapihan are immersed in work and training, they say most of their minor members can't read or write.

"Kahit 12 na ang aking edad hindi pa rin ako marunong magsulat," Renz said.

["Even though I am already 12 years old, I do not know how to write."]

Socorro Mayor Riza Rafonselle Timcang said that this led to a big dropout rate in their town.

"Talagang binawalan nilang bumaba ang mga bata. During 2019, massive drop out of learners. From elementary, high school.  800 plus yung learners na nag-drop out," Timcang said.

["They actually forbade the children to go to school. There was a massive drop out in learners from elementary to high school in 2019. Over 800 learners dropped out." Timcang said.]

In their defense, SBSI said that they have their own educational program.

"Ang mga itinuturo nila ay galing 'yun sa DepEd curriculum. Pinadalhan kami ng mga visual aids, mga learning materials para sa mga bata," "Emma", a teacher in Sitio Kapihan, said.

["The children are taught based on the DepEd curriculum. We are given visual aids for the kids."]

Teacher Annalyn said, "Mostly licensed teachers and there are few only not eligible."

Some members said they escaped from Sitio Kapihan because of the trauma they received.

"Lovely" was one of the 20 members who was able to run away. But her family members who are still in Sitio Kapihan were against it.

"Ang gusto ko pong mangyari is mabilanggo po 'yung leader nila. Para ano, para makauwi na sila dito sa patag, mabalik 'yung dating buhay," she said, in tears.

["I want their leader to be imprisoned. So that our family can return to our old lives".]

She said what hurt her the most was the forced repatriation of her father to Sitio Kapihan, who was suffering a serious illness at the time.

"Dinala ko siya sa Surigao pina-checkup ko siya. Tapos ang finding, kailangan niya talagang maoperahan at ma-admit. Sinabihan ako, 'Kunin namin kayo diyan sa Surigao.' So kinuha na ang father ko," "Lovely" said.

["I took him to Surigao and had him checked up. He had to undergo an operation and was admitted to a hospital. I was told, my father brought back."]

She continued, "Umiyak pa ako nun. Sabi ko sa mother ko, 'Bakit gusto mong mamatay ang tatay ko? Bakit ayaw mong i-admit yung father ko?' Gusto ko pa mabuhay ang ama ko. Hindi talaga ako pinagbigyan ng nanay ko. Dinala nila ulit doon sa bundok. Simula nun hindi ko na nakita ang father ko."

["I was crying that time. I asked my mother,  'Why would you let my father die? Don't you want him to stay in the hospital? I wanted my father to live,' but my mother refused. Since they brought my father to the mountains, I didn't see him again."]

Lovely eventually found out that her father had passed away.

She said her family in Sitio Kapihan did not tell her where her father's grave was.

"Hindi po namin alam. Hindi po sinabi ng mother ko, ng kapatid ko. 'Yun ang masakit," she said.

["We don't know where my father's grave is. My mother and sister didn't tell me. That's the most painful part."]

Lovely added, "Doon ako nagalit nung sinabi ni Senior Agila na sila daw ang nagpa-check-up sa ama ko. Napakasinungaling nila. Hindi sila nagbigay kahit piso man lang nung dinala ko ang father ko sa Surigao."

["What angered me is that Senior Agila said he will have my father checked by a doctor. But they're liars. Not a single peso was given when I brought my father to Siargao."]

The town's Civil Registry Office said they have no records of the marriage of the children.

"Walang nagpapakasal, walang nagparehistro ng birth certificate ng mga bata. 'Yung namatay po nagparehistro sila, 'yung mga senior may mga pensionado."

["There were no registered marriages or births. We only have death records of their senior citizens who received pension."]

Unconvinced by the explanations of the SBSI leaders, Senator Bato Dela Rosa and Senator Risa Hontiveros held Senior Agila and three other colleagues in contempt.

They will remain locked up in a Senate quarter until an order is given when they can go out.

SBSI members were not in favor of the Senate's decision.

"Bakit bias? Bakit walang nag-imbestiga dito at may findings na?" "Jervis" said.

["How come there were findings but no one came here to investigate?"]

"Cheche," another SBSI member, added "Nananawagan ako na sana po maging patas po 'yung mga hustisya po."

["I want justice."]

Meanwhile, some Socorro residents closely watched the Senate investigation, including Senior Agila's aunt, Leticia, who lives outside Sitio Kapihan.

"Lahat ng nangyari na sinasabi ng mga tao na ano doon sa Senado, totoo 'yun Sir lahat ng 'yan. Si Jay Rence sa pagkakilala ko nung una mabait na bata 'yun. Hindi ko talaga inisip na mangyari sa kanya 'yun. Siguro sir pananagutan niya ang ginagawa niya," she said.

["Everything that was said in the Senate is all true. Jay Rence, when I first met him, was a kind boy. I really didn't think that would happen to him. He should be responsible for what he is doing."]

Atty. Richard Dano, the legal counsel of the victims, listed the crimes committed by the supposed cult.

"'Yung sa existing ng National Bureau of Investigation, merong human trafficking, violation ng early child marriage. Meron ding violation ng Republic Act 7610, 'yung Child Abuse Law. I think meron ding serious illegal detention kasi matagal silang na-detain doon," he said.

["There's a human trafficking, violation of early child marriage existing in the National Bureau of Investigation. There is also a violation of Republic Act 7610, the Child Abuse Law. I think there is also serious illegal detention because they were detained there for a long time."]

The Commission on Human Rights said they will closely monitor the investigation by the Department of Justice.

"Ire-recommend namin na magbigay kami ng financial assistance dito po sa mga victims," they said. "Makikipag-coordinate po kami sa DSWD para masigurado yung welfare ng mga bata na nasa loob ng Kapihan. At yung mga nandoon sa kustodiya ng Municipal Social Workers Development Office. Makikipag-ugnayan din po kami sa Department of Education para po doon sa pagbibigay ng access to education doon sa mga batang nandoon."

["We will recommend that financial assistance be provided to the victims. We will coordinate with the DSWD to ensure the welfare of the children inside Kapihan and those who are there in the custody of the Municipal Social Workers Development Office. We will also coordinate with the Department of Education to provide access to education to the children there."]

—JCB, GMA Integrated News