Ex-members of Socorro group tell tales of forced marriages, rape

The Socorro Bayanihan Services was a standard people's organization and religious group in Socorro, Surigao del Norte until its present leader Jey Rence Quilario—or Senior Aguila—arrived.

According to Chino Gaston's exclusive report on "24 Oras," former members of the SBS told tales of forced child marriages, rape, and operating as a private army.

Jason (not his real name) said Quilario when he arrived in 2017 claimed that he was the Santo Niño.

In 2019, after an earthquake, the group went up to a community named Kapihan in the Bucas Grande mountains.

It was then that he was taken into Quilario's private army.

“Isa pong example sir yung sa eleksyon, sir. Kami po yung pinadala niya. Kami pa yung naging goons bale, yung seguridad ng mga kandidato,” Jason said.

(One example was during the elections. He sent us and we became goons, providing security to candidates.)

He said Quilario started to force women, even minors, into marriage.

If a man fails to have his way with his supposed bride after three days, he'd be told to rape because he had been "authorized."

Jane (not her real name) said she was 14 when she was forced into marriage with an 18-year-old.

She said they were told that they would be damned to hell if they didn't follow.

Jane said Senior Aguila even asked her for sex but she refused.

Mark (not his real name) said he was a watchman at Quilario's house where he saw women being brought in and firearms.

He said a woman would be brought in during curfew, and made to drink milk or juice. She would later spend the night and come out the following day.

Mark said the women didn't resist. They supposedly believed that they would go to heaven if they gave in.

He also claimed that Quilario’s basement held illegal firearms such as M4s.

In Sitio Kapihan, Quilario and his senior leaders Kareen Sanico Jr. and Mamerto Galanida denied allegations of forced marriages, rape and possession of firearms.

“Wala namang ganyan,” Quilario said.

(There's nothing like that.)

“Eh wala sir, tignan mo 'yung sinabi na nandon sa ilalim daw sa basement. Walang ano... sobrang sikip… linya lang ng septic tank,” Sanico said.

(There's nothing in the basement. It's too small. There's just the line to the septic tank.

According to the community leaders, they are ready and prepared to face any possible investigations or probes to disprove any further accusations in their community. —Jiselle Casucian/NB, GMA Integrated News