Is Socorro Bayanihan a 'cult'? Bato thinks so

For Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) fits the definition of a "cult" due to the alleged blind obedience its members exhibit.

Dela Rosa issued the remark after the grandchildren of the SBSI’s late founder said they were offended by the term.

“Ayaw namin na ‘yung sabihin ninyo na you are offended by this committee’s terming your group as a cult,” Dela Rosa said during the hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.

(We don’t want you to say that you are offended by this committee’s terming your group as a cult.)

“Kami rin ayaw namin makakasama ng loob sa tao, but the way as it is right now, by definition ng kulto, ay talagang— ako, forgive me if I offend you, pero pasok talaga sa definition kung sabihin mong kulto. ‘Yung blind obedience, 'yung reverence, ‘yung lahat lahat ng definition nandoon,” he added.

(We also don’t want to offend anyone, but the way it is right now, by definition of a cult— for me, forgive me if I offend you, but it fits the definition of a cult. The blind obedience, the reverence, all of it is there.]

The Senate inquiry stemmed from allegations against the SBSI — led by Jey Rence Quilario or Senior Agila — that it is abusing more than 1,000 minors in Socorro town, Surigao del Norte.

In her opening statement, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the characterization of the group as a cult is important because it is through this that they abuse children and violate the laws of the country.

“It is an essential part of how they were able to commit the crimes of rape, facilitation of child marriage, child abuse, theft of social welfare benefits, and other crimes,” Hontiveros said.

She said elements of a cult include excessive control through rigid rules, severe punishments, the suppression of independent thought, deviant practices, and a charismatic leader who encourages blind fanaticism.

Hontiveros pointed out that men and women in the sitio are required to have a similar haircut.

She said there seemed to be an independent government in Sitio Kapihan, called the Nueva Jerusalem Esperanza Ministry, that collects “donations” from its citizens as well as a Ministry of Budget and Finance.

Hontiveros, meanwhile, clarified that she supports legitimate people’s organizations and the right to organize, but stressed that the government must take action when such organizations are used to abuse children.

“Sa mga residente ng Kapihan at miyembro ng SBSI, wala po kaming balak na tanggalan kayo ng tahanan at ng komunidad. Ang gusto namin ay mapanagot ang mga may sala. At pag managot ang may sala, mapoprotektahan ang inyong mga anak, mababalik sila sa pag-aaral, at buong-buo ang inyong mga assistance mula sa gobyerno,” she said.

(To the residents of the Kapihan and members of the SBSI, we don’t seek to remove you from your homes and community. What we want is to hold accountable those who are guilty. And once they are found accountable, your children will be protected and allowed to go to school.)

The committee has cited Quilario and three others in contempt for repeatedly denying that child marriages took place despite testimonies by victims.

In June, the  National Bureau of Investigation in the CARAGA region filed complaints against members of the SBSI for trafficking, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, child marriage, and exploitation.—AOL, GMA Integrated News