A high-profile visit to Sitio Kapihan in Socorro, Surigao Del Norte, by a delegation led by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, on Saturday took place via a Philippine Air Force Blackhawk chopper.

The mission aimed to conduct an ocular inspection and investigation into disturbing reports of rape, sexual abuse, forced labor, child marriage, and other troubling incidents within the enclave of the controversial Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) cult.

Local residents in Sitio Kapihan welcomed Senator Dela Rosa and the Senate delegation with festive enthusiasm, offering a mala-Sinulog dance performance and a resounding reception.

During an interview within the cult enclave, Dela Rosa noted an element of rehearsal in the responses provided by SBSI members.

He said, “Ready sila to answer the questions ‘yun nga rehearsed. Parang lumalabas all their answers are going towards defending Senior Agila na hindi nagso-solemnize ng marriage.”

The senator also expressed suspicion about the cult’s alleged avoidance of solemnizing marriages.

“Iniiwasan talaga nila na maipit yung leader so ganun ang nakikita ko,” he added.

In addition to the investigation, Senator Dela Rosa aimed to uncover details related to a reported mass grave within the community.

As the delegation inspected the area, Dela Rosa took the opportunity to examine the graves, particularly those of infants and young children.

This visit was supervised by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which had conducted an exhumation in connection with the death of an infant in 2021.

The senator also visited the quarters of Jey Rence Quilario, known as Senior Agila, the leader of SBSI. Dela Rosa engaged in lengthy discussions with several SBSI members, including minors, during a reception session that lasted over an hour.

However, members of SBSI, particularly the minors, denied any wrongdoing taking place in Sitio Kapihan, such as child marriages.

After the session, Senator Dela Rosa is expected to meet with local officials in Socorro, engaging in discussions regarding the situation in Sitio Kapihan.

According to Rappler, it has been uncovered that members of the Socorro ‘cult’ were strictly forbidden from seeking medical care outside of their community.

Randolph Balbarino, a former follower of the ‘cult’ leader Jay Rence Quilario in Surigao del Norte, disclosed on Saturday, October 14, that SBSI enforced a policy that prohibited its members from seeking medical treatment beyond the confines of their community.

Balbarino believes that this restrictive rule was responsible for the tragic death of his child, who passed away just three to four days after birth.

Meanwhile, an inspection by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs revealed more severe irregularities than expected within Sitio Kapihan.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, a member of the committee, stated, “The irregularities that my staff and the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs discovered during the inspection in Sitio Kapihan today are worse than what we are expecting.”

Among the observed issues were at least 22 documented child marriages within the community, some resulting in childbearing. Senator Hontiveros emphasized the necessity of an investigation into the well-being and circumstances of the children born from these unions.

Hontiveros also highlighted that SBSI lacked a coherent system for recording deaths within the community, posing a clear violation of Presidential Decree No. 856, or the Code on Sanitation.

This absence of records makes it difficult for relatives to locate the graves of their deceased loved ones, as was evident in photos shared on Hontiveros’ Facebook page, showing the reburial of a child without their parents’ knowledge.

Furthermore, the absence of essential official documents among community residents raises concerns about the potential for fraud or identity theft in accessing government benefits.

Senator Hontiveros underscored the need for Jay Rence “Senyor Agila” Quilario, the leader of SBSI, and its administration to provide explanations for these irregularities to the Senate.

Allegations of child abuse and other illegal practices within SBSI were brought to the Senate in September, initiating the ongoing investigation.