In a bizarre and shocking twist, Jay Rence Quilario, the 22-year-old self-proclaimed “Senior Agila” and president of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated (SBSI), has now declared himself a mere figurehead.

This revelation comes as Quilario attempts to distance himself from allegations of child marriages and other crimes associated with the SBSI, which is now described by some as a cult.

Quilario, in an attempt to evade accountability for the alleged misdeeds of the SBSI, not only cited his young age but also claimed that he was hand-picked by Rosalina Lasala Taruc, the late president and founder of the organization, which dates back to December 20, 1980.

During a tense exchange at the Senate hearing, the visibly nervous Quilario stated, “Your honor, masakit po isipin hinuhusgahan na ako ng lahat. Kasi ‘yong parka-presidente ko ng Socorro Bayanihan Services ay hindi ko po kagustuhan” (“Your honor, it pains me to be judged by everyone. Because I did not want to be the president of Socorro Bayanihan Services”).

He went on to add, “Kung hindi lang ng aming presidente na si Rosalina Taruc, hindi ako tatanggap nito. Kaya nga pakinggan niyo po ako kasi hindi ko po magagawa ‘yan, bata pa po ako. Hindi nga po ako nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral” (“If it weren’t for our president, Rosalina Taruc, I would not have accepted this role. That’s why I’m asking you to listen to me because I couldn’t have done that; I’m still young. I haven’t even finished my studies”).

This revelation takes a surreal turn, considering that Quilario is idolized as a “god” or even the second coming of Jesus Christ by his devoted followers, who have left their past lives and families behind to live in a mountainous community.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa expressed incredulity during the hearing, interjecting, “Imposibleng hindi mo alam! Gaganon ka lang tutunganga ka lang, bakit ako. At siguro nagtanong ka. Siluro may alam ka kung bakit ikaw ang pinili. Ikaw na walang pinag-aralan, ginawang presidente. Kaya binabalik ko sa ‘yo ang question, bakit ikaw?” (“It’s impossible that you didn’t know! You just stood there; why me? You probably asked. Surely, you must know why you were chosen. You, with no education, made the president. That’s why I’m asking you, why you?”)

Despite his followers’ claims that he possesses supernatural powers, Quilario insisted that his only talent is composing music, which is the reason he’s called “Senior Agila,” which he said is just a “screen name.”

He clarified that this talent was a divine gift but asserted that he cannot heal the sick.

Quilario and other SBSI leaders found themselves in detention at the Senate during a joint committee hearing focused on alleged child marriages and other cult practices in an island community in Socorro town, Surigao del Norte, on Thursday, September 28.

At just 22 years old, Quilario has held the title of president of SBSI since 2021, and his role as “Senior Agila” signifies his importance within the organization.

According to investigations and testimonies, he is revered by his followers as the reincarnation of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and allegedly commands a private army of over 150 adults and children.

Currently, the organization boasts more than 3,000 members, all residing in Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Sering, Socorro town in Surigao del Norte. Shockingly, minors are reportedly subjected to strenuous physical exercises and military combat training to become “Agilas” or the “Soldiers of God.”

Witnesses who testified during the Senate hearing revealed that Quilario would conduct weddings between girls as young as 15 and young men who were 18 years old. Some of these child brides were allegedly required to sleep with Quilario to be “saved on the day of judgment.”

Documents presented to the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality exposed the existence of a makeshift government called the “Nueva Jerusalem Esperanza Ministry Government,” with Quilario serving as the “Supreme Divine Minister.” Among the documents was a family planning form that belonged to a 15-year-old SBSI member who already had a one-year-old child.

Despite his current role, Quilario’s early life paints a different picture. Born on November 10, 2000, to farmer parents in Barangay Nueva Estrella, Socorro, Surigao del Norte, he admitted during the Senate committee hearing that he never finished high school.

In his formative years, Rosalina Taruc mentored Quilario, ultimately choosing him to succeed her as president during a Christmas party in December 2019.

Raldene Taruc Florano, the grandson of the late SBSI president, shed light on the decision, stating, “Hindi niya tinanggap agad yung hamon na siya ang papalit na presidente kase sa sobrang bata at mahirap magdala ng tao” (“He did not immediately accept the challenge to become the president because of his young age and the difficulty of handling people”).

Florano had been Quilario’s teacher when the latter attended Socorro National High School. After Rosalina Taruc’s passing on June 27, 2021, Quilario assumed the role of president, gaining the support of Mamerto Galanida, a former three-term mayor of Socorro and a former SBSI president.

Quilario also serves as the chief executive officer of ALT Entertainment, a multimedia production company with its local radio station, ALT FM 105.5, in Sitio Kapihan.

When questioned by Senator Ronald dela Rosa about his selection as Taruc’s successor, Quilario admitted, “Yun nga ang di ko alam” (“That’s the part I don’t know”).