Senator's alarming revelation: Urgent action needed to rescue children from abusive cult
MANILA — In a powerful privilege speech on September 18, 2023, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women and Children, raised a distressing issue that demands immediate attention and action from the government and society as a whole.
A Mother’s Plea
Senator Hontiveros began her speech not only as a senator but as a mother and a long-standing advocate for children.
She emphasized that all children are “our children,” and it is our collective duty to protect them from harm.
Even if a single child is in danger or suffering abuse, it is incumbent upon society to rescue them.
The Horrifying Situation
The senator revealed a disturbing situation in Socorro, Surigao del Norte, where more than a thousand children are trapped in a manipulative, brutal, and abusive cult.
This cult, known as “Socorro Bayanihan Services,” has a troubling history.
Initially, it was a civic organization promoting community spirit (bayanihan), but it underwent a transformation in 2017.
The Rise of Senior Agila
The cult’s transformation began with the grooming of a 17-year-old named Jey Rence Quilario, who was touted as the next messiah and likened to a new Jesus.
He assumed the name Senior Agila and claimed to be the reincarnation of Senior Santo Niño.
The cult leader coerced Quilario into adopting the persona of a former municipal mayor, Mamerto Galanida.
A Cult’s Dark Secrets
Senator Hontiveros revealed that the cult exploited a natural disaster, an earthquake in 2019, as an opportunity to lead its members to a mountain called “Kapihan,” where they were convinced heaven awaited them.
Those who refused were threatened with eternal damnation.
The cult’s influence extended to government employees, teachers, and even students.
Many resigned from their positions, leading to decreased school enrollments.
The organization also controlled a significant portion of government assistance, including funds from programs like 4Ps and senior citizen pensions.
The Shocking Funding Source
More disturbingly, the cult’s main source of funding was revealed to be illegal drug activities.
It was alleged that the cult’s original purpose was to act as a human shield, protecting its instigator, Karren Sanico, and his business partner, the late Municipal Circuit Court Judge, who was allegedly involved in illegal drug activities and subsequently killed in 2019.
Desperate Escape and Manipulation
Senator Hontiveros shared that in July 2023, eight minors managed to escape the cult’s clutches and were placed under the custody of the Local Government Unit and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
However, the cult, armed and dangerous, is using its influence to manipulate parents into filing Habeas Corpus petitions to return the minors.
An International Presence
The cult’s reach extends beyond Surigao. Their performing group, Omega de Salonera, gained international recognition by winning in a festival in Korea, further enhancing their influence both in the Philippines and abroad.
The Cult’s Bold Approach
Shocking revelations continued as Senator Hontiveros disclosed that Senior Agila himself had visited the Senate, taking photos with senators during their unawareness.
The cult’s brazen actions underscored the urgency of the situation.
A Call to Action
Senator Hontiveros stressed the immediate need to save the trapped children, calling on all senators, parents, and society to act swiftly.
She reminded everyone of the legislative achievements in protecting children’s rights but lamented the perilous reality that now faces real children.
In closing, Senator Hontiveros declared that society cannot and must not look away from the harrowing situation in Socorro, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
It is a collective duty to rescue these children in their time of need.
“Now, real children are in danger, and time is of the essence. We cannot, we must not, look away,” Hontiveros concluded.
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