Children, women part of alleged Socorro cult’s private army, says ex-member

Children as young as 12 years old and women were allegedly recruited into the private army of an organization in Socorro, Surigao del Norte accused of being a cult, a former member said.

In his testimony video released by Senator Risa Hontiveros to the media on Thursday, "Karl," 28, said that there were about 107 members of the “Agila Squad,” the alleged armed group of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. or SBSI.

“Meron pang mga underage, mga 12 years old. May pito ring babae,” he said.

(There were minors, about 12 years old. There were also seven women.)

The lawmaker has been seeking an investigation into allegations of child rape and child marriages taking place in the organization led by Jey Rence Quilario, also known as Senior Agila.

Karl said the members of the group were taught how to fight and use firearms.

“Nagpa-practice kami ng escrima, paano gumamit ng kutsilyo, at pwede kaming magdala at gumamit ng armas. Alam namin kung paano gamitin, paano mag-disarm, mag-disassemble at assemble ng mga pistol, mga armalite, M4, 45— nagamit namin lahat 'yan,” he added.

(We would practice escrima, how to use a knife, and we could carry and use weapons. We know how to use, disarm, disassemble, and assemble pistols, armalites, M4, and 45—we have used all that.)

Karl said Quilario told his private soldiers that they were “Soldiers of God,” and that it would be "alright" if they would sacrifice their lives.

“‘Pag isinakripisyo namin ang buhay namin, mamatay man kami o hindi, basta pinagsisilbihan daw ang Diyos, that is alright. Ang sabi niya sa amin, pwede kaming pumatay ng tao basta galing sa kanya ang utos,” he said.

(If we sacrifice our lives, whether we die or not, as long as we are serving God, that is alright. He told us that we can kill people as long as the order came from him.)

Another survivor, a 13-year-old girl going under the alias Maymay, disclosed to Hontiveros' team that she escaped the group with her parents because she wanted to go to school.

Hontiveros first revealed in a privilege speech on Monday the existence of a religious “cult” nestled in the mountainous portion of Socorro town, which supposedly had links to the illegal drug trade. In there, minors and children as young as 15 years old were reportedly being raped and forced to marry the cult leader, she said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are now looking into the allegations, PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said on Tuesday.

Socorro Bayanihan Services vice president Mamerto Galanida denied the reports, saying they are ready to face investigations. — BM, GMA Integrated News