SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Monday bared a harrowing story of rape, sexual violence, child abuse and forced marriage perpetrated on minors by a cult in the Municipality of Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

In her privilege speech, Hontiveros said around 1,000 children who are under the care of people’s organization named Socorro Bayanihan Services are exposed to such abuses.

“I am of the belief that all children are our children. Mayroon tayong responsibilidad na protektahan ang lahat ng bata, at kung may kahit isang bata na nasa panganib o inaabuso, tungkulin natin na sila ay saklolohan,” Hontiveros said.

“Dear colleagues, a community of children in Socorro, Surigao del Norte is crying for help. These children are our children. Ang pinag-uusapan nating mga bata ay higit sa isang libong kabataan na nasa kamay ng isang mapanlinlang, malupit, at mapang-abusong kulto,” she added.

Socorro Bayanihan Services is a civic organization founded to help each member but in 2017, the organization has changed.

“Ayon sa mga taga-Socorro, kasama ang mismong Mayor ng munisipalidad, nagsimula ang kulto noong may isang dise-syete na taong gulang na bata na grinoom para maging susunod na di umanong tagapagligtas. Kinumbinse ng lider ng organisasyon na itong si Jey Rence Quilario na ang gawing lider ng Socorro Bayanihan Services dahil nga siya ang susunod na Messias. Siya raw ang bagong Hesus. Siya raw ang magliligtas sa kanila,” Hontiveros said.

“Siya ay binigyan ng script, tinuruan paano tumindig at magsalita nang may tikas ng isang Mamerto Galanida na three-term mayor ng Socorro at 3 term na BOCAL. Pagkatapos ay idineklara ni Jey Rence sa komunidad na siya raw ang reincarnation ni Senior Santo Nino,” she added.

The senator said that last Februady 2019, the group saw an opportunity after an earthquake struck their area.

“Sinabihan niya (Senyor) ang mga tao na sumama sa kanya sa bundok na ang tawag ay Kapihan dahil iyon daw ang langit. At ang hindi sumama sa kanya ay masusunog sa impyerno,” she said.

“As a result, there was a mass exodus to the mountain by the thousands of members of the organization, now having all the indicators of a religious cult. At hindi lang po ito mga ordinaryong tao na di nakapag-aral,” she said.

The LGU recorded mass resignations of teachers and government employees.

Enrollment at the Socorro East and West Districts plunged.

“The mountain allowed the cult to continue its activities without scrutiny. And this is where the harrowing tales of child abuse come in,” Hontiveros said.

“This cult is armed and dangerous. Ayon sa isa pang menor de edad na itatago natin sa pangalang Renz, nakita niya mismo ang mga armas ng kultong ito. At nakita din niya ang sinasakong armas noong eleksyon,” she added.

“We need to save those children. It is our duty not just as senators, but also as parents, as human beings, to save children in most need of our help. We managed to raise the age of sexual consent, we passed the law penalizing child marriage, we strengthened protections against child trafficking,” she said.