FAITH IN BAYANIHAN. Members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. welcome Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa and his team during the conduct of an ocular inspection in Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Sering, Socorro, Surigao del Norte on Saturday (Oct. 14, 2023). They continue to profess their support and belief in the principles of the organization and its leaders despite the controversies they are facing. (PNA photo by Alexander Lopez)
SOCORRO, Surigao del Norte – Members remain faithful to Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI) and to their leaders despite recent controversies exposed at a Senate hearing.
Two long-time members of the SBSI agreed to talk to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Saturday, in time for the ocular inspection conducted by the team of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa in Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Sering here.
The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs has been investigating the leaders of the group, including Jey Rence Quilario (alias Senior Aguila), for alleged trafficking, kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse law.
Quilario is revered by the members as the reincarnation of Sto. Niño, the child Jesus.
“When I retired from government work at the early age of 61, I immediately joined my husband who went ahead to become a member of the SBSI more than six years ago,” said Nelia, 63, a member of the SBSI women group who prepared the food for the visitors during the ocular inspection.
She added that one of her three children joined them, too.
“I believe in the principles of Bayanihan which we practice here in Kapihan. Everyone is concerned, we help each other, and we are happy with what we are doing,” Nelia said.
Despite the accusations being hurled against the SBSI, the members continue to hold on to the beliefs, principles, and practices of the organization, she affirmed.
“We are still in one with our leaders despite the accusations against them. These are all false and designed to destroy the SBSI,” she added.
Remegio, 42, also professed his unwavering support to the SBSI and devotion to their leaders, especially Quilario.
“He (Quilario) is everything to me and my family. When we arrived here five years ago, he provided help to us, allowed us to stay and farm. For more than five years of stay here, I and my family already embraced the Bayanihan practices of the organization,” Remegio said.
He also expressed sadness over the allegations.
“These complaints are only fabricated by those who are jealous of our leaders and the strong unity among the members of SBSI,” Remegio said.
During the ocular visit of Dela Rosa on Saturday, over a thousand residents showed up in the streets of Sitio Kapihan and in the different venues where the senator's activities were held.
The youths of the group, dressed in colorful costumes, welcomed the visitors with dances and performances.
“We could have provided our visitors with more food nourishment, but due to the devastations of Typhoon Odette in 2021, most of our plants and crops were destroyed. Our farms are still recuperating from the ruins of that typhoon,” Remegio said.
Through the spirit of Bayanihan, he is hopeful that the agricultural products of the members of SBSI will recover to provide more food to the families of their members.
The SBSI is a holder of a Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) granted on June 15, 2004, covering some 353 hectares of land area in Barangay Sering.
The PACBRMA, which was suspended by the DENR last month due to some violations, will expire on June 15, 2029.
The PACBRMA allows the development and conservation of a portion of a protected area.
“We are ready to correct the mistakes we made, especially with the PACBRMA. I believe that our leaders will openly discuss with the DENR the best possible ways to reconsider the suspension order,” Remegio said.
Twelve PACBRMAs are existing in Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island in Surigao del Norte, consisting of 2,524.64 hectares.
Children’s graves
Dela Rosa went to a cemetery, which he was informed include the graves of children aged zero to three.
"There's a lack of nutrition among the children here," Dela Rosa said.
Randolf Balbarino, a resident who accompanied Dela Rosa to the cemetery, pointed at the grave of his two-day-old child.
"My wife experienced difficulties when she gave birth. I decided to bring my child to a medical facility in the town center but Senior Agila prohibited it," Balbarino told Dela Rosa.
A team from the National Bureau of Investigation exhumed the remains of the child of for further examination.
Chinga Lea Yamson, the secretary of the SBSI who was also with Dela Rosa during the inspection, denied Balbarino’s narrative.
“We are open for hospitalization. Our organization is extending medical assistance, and in some cases, there were those who were brought to Davao, Cebu, and Surigao for medication,” Yamson said.
Prior to the cemetery visit, Dela Rosa and the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Caraga staff met with the minors and their parents to investigate the cases of alleged child marriages.
The senator then proceeded to hold a dialogue with 400 SBSI residents.
“If the agency (DENR) decides to cancel your PACBRMA, then I ask you to abide by the decision. The government is always here to provide assistance, especially on relocation,” Dela Rosa said.
The senator also met with Surigao del Norte Gov. Lyndon Barbers and Socorro Mayor Riza Rafonselle Timcang to discuss possible assistance for SBSI members. (PNA)
