Socorro Bayanihan Services reportedly has at least 3,500 members
On a remote Philippine island, children are allegedly being sexually abused by side a doomsday cult led by a leader who claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus.
Save the Children has called on the Philippine government to take immediate action to release the estimated 1,500 children allegedly held by Socorro Bayanihan in a heavily guarded enclave in one of the southern islands of the archipelago, close to the world famous surfing spot.
< p>The group was originally a civilian organization. But, according to politicians, in 2017 it turned into an exploitative quasi-religious cult known as Omega de Salonera, and two years later used a massive earthquake to lure people into the mountains under the threat of eternal damnation.
According to the Philippines lawmakers there, cult leaders were able to evade scrutiny and commit «monstrous» abuses while running a covert anti-drug operation guarded by a private army.
The group is reported to have at least 3,500 members and is led by Jay Ransom B. Kilario, called the «Messiah».
Jay Rance B. Kilario, a cult leader who claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus. Photo: ViralPress
In a speech on Monday, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Women and Children used Congressional privilege to accuse Mr. Kilario and his close associates of widespread exploitation and demand action from the country's government.
“This is a heartbreaking event. history of rape, sexual violence, child abuse, forced marriages committed by minor cult members in the municipality of Socorro, Surigao del Norte,” said Senator Risa Hontiveros.
“We are talking about more than a thousand young people in the hands of a deceitful, cruel and abusive cult…real children are in danger and time is of the essence. We cannot and must not look away.”
Meanwhile, fellow senator Ronald Dela Rosa accused the group's leaders of using cult members as «human shields» to avoid prosecution for drug trafficking and demanded an immediate investigation. into their activities.
He said he had received reports that the group was running a methamphetamine laboratory from an underground bunker located near the so-called “White House” where Mr Kilario and his fellow leaders live .
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Mr. Dela Rosa said the lab was guarded by a private army created by the group, which he claimed received support from a local extremist group.
Echoing calls for action from senators, Save the Children on Friday called authorities to protect minors who have been subjected to «horrific violence.»
«We urgently call on the government, especially our law enforcement agencies, to conduct immediate and thorough investigations into these incidents, ensure the protection of the children affected and bring those responsible to justice,» he said Alberto Muyot, executive director of the organization in the Philippines. branch.
Rape allegations
Senator Ontiveros cited testimony from children and adults who had recently escaped, including a 15-year-old girl who went by the alias Chloe. She alleged that the cult leader forced her to marry a 21-year-old man when she was just 13.
Chloe said that on several occasions Quilario locked her in a room with her new husband and forced her to have sex, saying spouse that “he has the right to rape her” because they are married.
In his speech, Senator Ontiveros also accused Mr. Kilario of raping children. She added that he did not allow minors to attend school, demanded up to 60 percent of pensions and social benefits, and smuggled drugs to earn money.
Mr. Kilario (right) is also accused of drug smuggling. Photo: ViralPress
Senator Dela Rosa said local authorities told him that young girls trapped in the cult were forced to have sex with Mr. Kilario before they were married at the age of 12.
Anna's other testimony Fiona L. Boyos. , a member of the NGO Cebu for Human Rights who visited the region in 2023, documented alleged forced labor of children who were forced to carry sand and stones that were eventually used to build a swimming pool and basketball court.
“Although the sect said it was voluntary work on their part, in reality they were being monitored and punished for not doing the work,” Ms. Boyos said in an article for The Philippine Star newspaper.
She alleged that children were subjected to physical violence if their work was found unsatisfactory, and in some cases were sent to «okaz» for up to a week of solitary confinement.
“The children were also required to do ‘masi-masi’ every day. These are physical exercises where they jog with a heavy bag filled with rocks, overcome obstacles, handle firearms and bladed weapons, learn martial arts, swim and crawl through mud full of waste and urine,” Ms Boyos said.
Other former members of the cult are also testifying.
Socorro Bayanihan Services categorically denied all allegations and stated that the children in question were taught to “fabricate” their stories.
But the allegations dominated Philippine headlines this week, and Senator Hontiveros said other former cult members spoke after the speech, including Carl, a 28-year-old former member of the Aguila Squad who is said to be the armed wing of the Service Socorro Bayanihan.
He reportedly claimed that the unit had more than 100 members, including children as young as 12 years old, and they received combat training, believing that they were «soldiers of God» with a divine mission
Fears are growing that eight children who escaped this summer risk being lured back to the mountains, Save the Children has warned.
“Time is of the essence. and we fear that there may be more children affected, missing and whose lives and futures are at risk,” Mr. Muyot said.
Mr. Muyot added that the recently passed laws must be strictly enforced be observed.
“Our work to protect children does not end with passing laws; it starts there. It is imperative that laws to protect children from abuse and early marriage are not just words on paper, but are strictly implemented and enforced,” he said.
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