Forced child labor  and marriage

From Atty. Fionah Bojos, a member of Cebu for Human Rights, Inc.:

“Hello. Sometime in June 2023 I went to Socorro, Bucas Grande islands and Siargao for a vacation. While there, I learned from the locals that there is a cult operating in Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Sering, Socorro.

“The cult is known as Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI). They are living in what used to be the site for Kapihan View Park, then a community-based program of SBSI with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Now, it is no longer forested but occupied by the members.

“Socorro is beside Siargao, the internationally known surfing site. Socorro also has its own tourist spot, Socorro Cove with its caves, stingless jellyfish, and diving spot.

“Their leader is Jeyrence B. Quilario, whom they call their Senior Agila. Jeyrence is supported by Mamerto D. Galanida, former Schools Division Superintendent, three-term mayor of Socorro and three-term Board Member of Surigao del Norte, and Karren Sanico, a businessman.

“About four years ago they moved to Sitio Kapihan with all their members after an earthquake. They number about 3,000 people They believed that the world was ending and that only they would be saved. They brought their families with them. Those who did not agree with them were left behind.

“They are known nationally as Omega de Salonera, the team that won in this year’s Sinulog. They were disciplined, creative, and organized.

“Cult survivors, however, tell a different story. Eight minors have escaped, living witnesses of what happened inside the cult. One minor went to Sitio Kapihan, Sering, Socorro in 2019 when she was still 10 years old. Grade five at that time, she went with her mother and sister. They believed that the world would end after the earthquake.

“At first, they could go out of the compound but later on, their movements were restricted. They followed the words of their Senior Agila who stopped them from going out. She was stopped from attending online classes.

“She was made to haul sand, stones, and rocks called ‘bantiles’ together with other children. This was used for building a swimming pool and a basketball court.

“Although the cult said it was voluntary labor on their part, they were actually monitored and disciplined for failure to do work, so, it was actually forced labor/work. She was paddled one time and was also sent to the foxhole for a week of isolation another time when she was late for work.

“She and other children were required to do ‘masi-masi’ every day. These are physical exercises where they jog with a heavy sack filled with rocks, undergo obstacle challenges, firearm and bladed weapons handling, learn martial arts, swim, and crawl in the mud full of waste and urine. Including the children, all are required to render physical exercises because all are trained to be ‘Soldiers of God.’

“When she reached 14, she was married to an 18-year-old cult member by their Senior Agila. She did not like it and she cried. She had sex with him twice. They stayed in the quarters of their Senior Agila. They mopped the floor, washed dishes, and cleaned the house.

“While she was there, she was also offered to their Senior Agila. One cult official required her to have sex with him. She initially refused but the cult official conned her by saying that she would be beside Senior Agila at the time of judgment (‘end of the world’) and she and her family will be saved.

“After that, she decided to escape together with two other minors.

“There is a pending criminal complaint against Jeyrence, Mamerto and others before the provincial prosecutor’s office for child abuse, child marriage, qualified trafficking, and illegal detention.

“For inquiries, you can send email at [email protected]”