A former teen member of Socorro Bayanihan Services speaks about what they were allegedly forced to do
Jane, not her real name, faced the lawmakers during a Senate panel probe on Thursday regarding the allegations against Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc.
She is a 15-year-old former member of the “cult” based in Surigao del Norte. The group caught the attention of the lawmakers after Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed during her privilege speech last week that she received complaints against the said group.
It was alleged that the group allows child marriage and there were child abuse allegations as well. SBSI has denied the allegations of their alleged “religious mess” and defended that the accusations have political colors.
Based on the report from Inquirer, Jane claimed that underage members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. are forced to marry adult members and this is allegedly spearheaded by Jey Rence Quilario, the group’s leader, who is also known as “Senior Agila.”
Quilario allegedly would tell them that this is the “rule to go to heaven.” “Si Senior Aguila ang nagpapares na ikaw paired ka dito. Hindi pwedeng humindi dahil diyos daw ang nagsasabi na ‘yun ang pares,” Jane said.
“After sa kasal kailangan sila magsiping sabi daw ni Jay Rence. [Sabi sa lalake] authorized [sya] kunin or i-rape ‘yong wife dahil [mag-asawa] naman kayo. Kailangan makuha sila in three days otherwise they will be called na nag ‘adios’,” she added.
It is a fact that anyone is innocent until proven guilty. Right now, the leader of SBSI has not yet been convicted and everything thrown against him is just allegations, for now. With this, no one can completely condemn him.
However, this kind of issue is not new in society anymore. There had been religious, or should I say, cult leaders who have been receiving complaints for abusing the members. See Child Abuse in Cults.
If Jane’s statement is true, what the heck! I wonder what’s the basis of this Senior Agila in teaching his members of this so-called “rule.” She has spoken and most probably, she is not the only one who had this kind of experience.
With this, authorities should encourage other victims, if there are any, to speak regarding this issue. By speaking up, you go against the wrongdoings with the hope to change it, to rectify the evil acts, and to give justice to whom it is due.
Aside from the justice that the probable victims should have, they also need to receive protection. This kind of battle can be bloody.
For more updates, follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.