More witnesses come forward prior to Socorro 'cult' leader’s arrest

Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) president Jey Rence Quilario, alias Senyor Agila, and its other members were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday over alleged human trafficking.

Prior to their arrest, more former members came forward, narrating their experiences during their stay at Sitio Kapihan.

According to the latest episode of "Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho," among them was a 79-year-old man named Pedrito Angcog, who said he was tortured by the Agila group or SBSI's armed members.

Pedrito said he was accused of using witchcraft against SBSI Vice President Mamerto Galanida.

"Nung lumabas 'yung mga sakit niya, pinagbintangan ako na sinumpa ko raw kaya dinakip ako. At noong pagbukas ko ng pinto—bang!" he said, adding they fired a warning shot at him.

["When he got sick, Ibwas accused of cursing him, so they arrested me. And when I opened the door, they shot me."]

"Dumaplis sa tenga ko ang dalawang bala. Tapos ginapos ako sa mga kamay ng lubid patalikod," he added.

["Two bullets grazed my ear. They tied my hands behind my back with a rope."] 

The one who allegedly fired at Pedrito was Pidoy Buntad, the leader of the Agilas.

Pidoy, however, said that he doesn't know Pedrito, despite the latter confirming that it was him.

Aside from Pedrito, Randolf Balbarino also testified and said he was prohibited from leaving Sitio Kapihan to bring his newborn son to the hospital.

When asked if his wife knew that he was asking for permission to take their child to the hospital, Randolf said, "Doon na niya sinabi na, 'Wala ba tayong tiwala kay Senyor Agila?'"

["She asked me, 'Don't we trust Senyor Agila?'"]

Randolf and his wife's baby died.

According to the report, the group reportedly buried around 200 babies and children on top of the mountain.

When the NBI dug the said area, they found the remains of a baby whose DNA matched Randolf's.

Randolf added that there were times when Senyor Agila himself conducted internal examinations (IE) on pregnant women or those having difficulty giving birth, even though he doesn't have a medical background.

Senyor Agila then denied those allegations. 

"Hindi, hindi. Kasi hindi po ako marunong n'yan. Wala po akong alam niyan sa sinasabi niya," he said.

["I don't know anything about that. I don't know what he's talking about."]

Lovely's return to Sitio Kapihan

In a previous KMJS episode, "Lovely," a former member, said that her father was one of those who died in Sitio Kapihan after not being allowed to go to the hospital.

After "Lovely" escaped from the mountain, she was not able to attend her father's funeral.

"Nagkasamaang-loob kami ng pamilya ko. Lalong-lalo na sa mother ko. Itinakwil nila ako," she said.

["Our family fought. They disowned me."]

On October 30, "Lovely" went up to Sitio Kapihan again to visit her father's grave.

But her visit did not go smoothly after she encountered her relatives who stayed on the mountain. They had an unpleasant argument.

Despite the encounter, "Lovely" said that she is now trying to fix their family's relationship.

"Alam kong masaya na rin ngayon ang ama namin. Kasi nagka-peace na kami ng mother ko. Nawala na 'yung mga samaan ng loob," she said.

["I know that our dad would be happy since I have reconciled with my mother."]

Over 3,000 members remain

The number of members who continue to reside in Sitio Kapihan is said to be constantly decreasing.

"Dati almost 5,000 sila. Ngayon mga 3,000 plus. 'Yung mga pamilya na mayroon silang kapamilya dito sa baba, puwede na sila dito matulog," Kapihan Task Force Karen Jayson Sangco said.

["There used to be around 5,000 members. Now, they are just around 3,000 plus members. The families with relatives outside Kapihan can now stay and sleep here."]

Among those who chose to leave their life in Sitio Kapihan behind was the family of Ivy. She took her child with her.

Her husband, however, asked to be left on the mountain.

But as other cases of SBSI abuse continued to emerge, her husband eventually changed his mind.

Ivy, along with other former members who chose to leave SBSI, are now in a safe house.

"Wala na po akong plano na bumalik sa Kapihan. Kasi hindi totoo 'yung pinapaniwalaan namin na Panginoon. Parang scam lang lahat," Ivy said.

["I have no plans to return to that place. It felt like everything was just a scam. " ]

The local government of Socorro, along with other branches of the Surigao Del Norte government, is planning a comprehensive reintegration program for SBSI members who want to return to their former places, the report added.

Senyor Agila's arrest

In the preliminary investigation by the Department of Justice, 21 recorded violations of the law were filed against 13 SBSI members.

This includes nine counts of qualified trafficking in persons, eight counts of child abuse, and four counts for the solemnization or facilitation of child marriage.

"Itong kaso na isinampa laban sa kanila ay no bail. Masasabi nating matibay ang ebidensiya natin," Atty. Angelito Magno said.

["The case filed against them is non-bailable. We can say that our evidence is strong."]

The KMJS team tried asking for the statement of Senyor Agila's team while they were detained at the NBI Jail Facility at the Bureau of Corrections in Muntinlupa.

However, they declined and said, "On behalf of the 13 of us, with due respect, I'd like to inform you na hindi po kami magpa-interview."

["On behalf of the 13 of us, I'd like to inform you that we decline to be interviewed."]

Senator Risa Hontiveros said she wants to get to the root of the formation of cults in the Philippines.

"It's also a wakeup call sa lahat namin na nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno na isaayos 'yung pag-deliver din ng mga basic services," she added.

["It's also a wakeup call for all of us working in the government to improve access to basic services."]

Meanwhile, the former members were glad to hear about the arrest of SBSI's members.

"Natutuwa ako na kahit papaano may hustisya na kaming nakuha," Pedrito said.

["I'm glad that somehow justice was served."]

"Lovely" said she cried tears of happiness.

Ivy shared the same sentiments. "Ang laking pasasalamat ko na kahit sa mga sakit na pinagdaanan namin, may nakita na kaming hustisya."

["I'm grateful that after everything, it felt like justice was served."]

—JCB, GMA Integrated News