SENATE SECURITY GROUP ESCORTS SOCORRO MEMBERS TO DOJ: Members of the Senate security group accompany Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) leader Jey Rence Quilario alias Senior Agila to the Department of Justice in Padre Faura, Manila to attend a hearing Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Bibo Nueva Espana/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Fisherfolk members of the alleged Surigao del Norte religious cult are reportedly required to give 50 percent of their net income as an “offering” for the ministry and operations of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI).
Randolf Balbarino, a fisherman and one of the witnesses, confirmed this during a Senate probe on Tuesday when Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa asked if the reports on this alleged requirement are true.
“Totoo po yon, 50-50 [ang sharing] (It’s true, we have 50-50 sharing),” Balbarino told before the committee on public order and dangerous drugs.
As an example, dela Rosa asked him how much would be allocated for SBSI’s ministries if he happened to earn P1,000 for the day.
“Kuhaan ng konsumo bale P200, may P800 na tira yun ang hatiin, P400 samin P400 sa ministry,” Balbarino answered.
(I will deduct P200 for our expenses; for the remaining P800, I will keep P400 and give the other P400 to the ministry.)
Upon hearing this, SBSI board member Mamerto Galanida denied imposing such a requirement, explaining that they only accept donations to fund their operations and activities.
He added that the million worth of reward they earned from winning a competition during the Bonok-Bonok Festival in Surigao was likewise used to participate in another contest during the Sinulog Festival in Cebu.
“Basta ang kwan lang namin donation kasi bayanihan kami […] kusang loob nila kung meron man, hindi ko lang alam parang fishermen coop sila, di ko alam ang patakaran nila,” Galanida said.
(We only accept donations because we promote Bayanihan. We only accept donations they are willing to give; I don’t know the rules of these fishermen because, from what I know, they have a cooperative.)
However, Balbarino claimed that they are met with various punishments if they are unable to comply.
Similar to members who committed “adios,” fishermen unable to give 50 percent of their net income would be barred from entering Sitio Kapihan and fishing, as well as guarding the so-called fox hole.
Last September 18, Hontiveros initially bared the activities of the SBSI, raising the plight of young members who were allegedly subjected to sexual violence and coerced to marry adults.
Her exposé eventually led to the upper chamber’s probe into the group to save the children following dela Rosa’s filing of a separate resolution calling for an investigation.