**Fact Sheet: Investigation of SBSI Cult in Sitio Kapihan, Philippines**

**WHO:**
- Senator Risa Hontiveros, a prominent legislator in the Philippines, revealed details about the alleged Socorro
Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) cult.
- "Jane," a 15-year-old member of the SBSI, testified during the Senate investigation.
**WHAT:**
- The Senate investigation is focused on the activities and practices of the SBSI, a Surigao del Norte-based
organization.
- Members who disobey SBSI rules face severe punishments, including confinement in a "fox hole," spinning a
roulette for punishment, and being hit with a paddle.
**WHERE:**
- The investigation is taking place in the Philippines, with specific reference to Sitio Kapihan, allegedly the enclave of
the SBSI cult.
**WHEN:**
- Senator Risa Hontiveros initially raised concerns about the SBSI on September 18.
- The Senate investigation is ongoing.
**WHY:**
- The investigation aims to uncover the activities and practices of the SBSI, especially those involving the alleged
sexual violence and forced marriages of young members.
- The goal is to hold those responsible for wrongdoing accountable and protect the children involved.
**HOW:**
- Senator Hontiveros initiated the probe and rallied her colleagues to investigate the SBSI.
- Testimonies and evidence are being presented to shed light on the cult's activities.
**INTERVIEW SCRIPT:**
- Interviewer: Can you tell us more about the Senate investigation into the SBSI?
- Interviewee: The investigation is examining the activities and punishments within the SBSI, especially for rule
breakers.
- Interviewer: What kind of punishments are SBSI members subjected to for disobeying rules?
- Interviewee: Punishments include confinement in a "fox hole," spinning a roulette for punishment, and being hit
with a paddle.
- Interviewer: What prompted this investigation?
- Interviewee: Senator Risa Hontiveros raised concerns about the SBSI's alleged sexual violence and forced marriages
involving young members.
- Interviewer: What is the intended outcome of the investigation?
- Interviewee: The investigation aims to hold those responsible accountable and protect the children involved.
**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:**
- The SBSI cult is alleged to be led by Jey Rence Quilario, also known as Senior Agila.
- Senator Hontiveros clarified that the investigation does not intend to evict the SBSI from Sitio Kapihan but seeks
accountability for wrongdoing and protection for the children involved.
- "Aroma beach," as mentioned in the news, is described as a man-made pit filled with urine and feces where
disobedient members are forced to swim as a punishment.
**Fact Sheet: Nipah Virus Outbreak in India**
**What is the Nipah Virus?**
- The Nipah virus is a deadly zoonotic virus that was first identified in 1998 during an outbreak among pig farmers in
Malaysia and Singapore.
- It can infect humans directly through contact with the bodily fluids of infected bats and pigs, with documented
cases of human-to-human transmission.
- Scientists believe that Nipah virus has existed among flying foxes (a type of fruit bat) for a long time, and there are
concerns about the potential emergence of a highly transmissible strain.
**Treatment:**
- There are currently no vaccines available for preventing Nipah virus infection, and there is no specific antiviral
treatment.
- The usual approach to managing Nipah virus cases is to provide supportive care to alleviate symptoms and
complications.
- Symptoms of Nipah virus infection include fever, respiratory distress, headaches, vomiting, and, in severe cases,
encephalitis, seizures, and coma.
- The virus has a high mortality rate, estimated to be around 70%.
**Previous Outbreaks:**
- The Nipah virus has caused multiple outbreaks since its discovery.
- The 1998 outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore resulted in over 100 deaths and nearly 300 infections.
- Subsequent outbreaks occurred in various locations, with mortality rates ranging from 72% to 86%.
- Between 1998 and 2015, more than 600 cases of Nipah virus infections in humans were reported according to the
World Health Organization (WHO) data.
- India experienced an outbreak in 2001, and two outbreaks in Bangladesh occurred, resulting in 62 deaths out of 91
infections.
- Kerala, a state in southern India, experienced Nipah virus outbreaks in 2018 (21 deaths), 2019, and 2021.
**Source and Spread:**
- The virus is believed to originate from bats, particularly flying foxes, and can spill over to other animals and humans.
- Parts of Kerala have been identified as high-risk areas for outbreaks of bat viruses, according to a Reuters
investigation in May.
**Current Outbreak in India:**
- In the recent outbreak in Kerala, two people have died, leading to the closure of some schools and offices as
officials work to contain the virus. This marks the fourth Nipah virus outbreak in India since 2018.
**Preventative Measures:**
- Preventing Nipah virus infection primarily involves avoiding contact with infected animals, particularly bats and pigs.
Protective measures include:
- Avoiding consumption of fruits that may have been contaminated by bat saliva or urine.
- Avoiding contact with sick animals and their bodily fluids.
- Wearing protective gear (e.g., gloves and masks) when handling animals, especially in areas where the virus is
known to be present.
- Implementing strict hygiene practices in farms and slaughterhouses.
- Public health campaigns and awareness programs are essential to educate communities about the risks and
preventive measures associated with Nipah virus.
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The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) hav denied the motion of reconsideration file by
the production teams of ABS-CBN’ss “It’s Showtime” and, GMA, days after the noon time shows was slepped with a
12-days suSpension.,

The ruling were release just hours after GMA senior vice president ,Annette Gozon-Valdes and ABS-CBN COO for
Broadcast Cory Vidanes made an apearance on “It’s Showtime’s” Sept. 28 episodes, at what appeared to be a jointed
attempt to show supports, to the show amid its legal battle.

A copy of the MTRCB, statement was received by INQUIRER.net. in which.

the regulatory body found no merit to the motion for reconsideration filed by the Show’s producers in connection
with its assailed June 25 episode, and sustained its previous finding that its hosts acted “indecently and
inappropriately,” in the presence of child.

This makes mtrcb’s denial of the show’s motion for reconsideratien as final, according to the government Agency.

During its press conference, Atty. Paulino Cases, the chairman of the MTRCB adjudcation committee, said denial of
the appeal was reached after a “big majrity” of the board members — comprised of eductors, businesmen, and
lawyers — voted in favor of throwing out “It’s Showtime’s” motion for reconsideration.

“There are 30 board members — one vice chair, and one chair. and 30 members. So 32 lahat… I would say a big
majority (voted for denial of MR), out of 30 bord members, 27 voted to denys,” he said.

MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio earlier announced that she inhibited from ruling on the suspension. On
wednesday, she told the Senate during deliberations on the agencys budget that she has decided to recuse herself
from participating in the voting on all matters Pertaining to noontime shows “in the spirit transparency and in the
spirit of fairness.”

Sotto is facing criticism for the agency’s

ruling, considering that his father, former senator Tito Sotto II, is the host of a rival noontime show, EAT, which just
transferred from GMA to TV5. On the other hand, “It’s Showtime” is being show on gma’s GTV channel.

“The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) released a resolution dated 28 September 2023,
deny the Motion of Reconsideration (MR) filed by GMA Network Inc,. and ABC-SBN Corporation.,” statement reads.
“Said MRs sought relif from the Board’s ruling dated 17 August 2023, regardng the July 25, 2023 episode of the live
noontime program ‘It’s showtime!’ Specifically, during the show’s ‘Isip Bata’

segment in which host Ryan bang, Vice Ganda, and Ion Perez allegedly acted indecently inapropriately in the
presence of children, which is allege to have violated Section 3 of presidentiel Decree and its Implementing Rules and
Regulations,” MTRCB added.
 __________________________________________
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Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Sunday said four members of Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) have agreed to testify
against the leader of the group who allegedly forced their underage children to marry older men as part of its
“deviant” and “cultic” rituals.

Hontiveros said the parents had agreed to speak up against SBSI president Jey Rence Quilario after the Department
of Justice recommended that they be placed under the government’s protective custody.

The parents, she said, had previously defended Quilario and even prevented the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) from helping the children after they allegedly ran away from the SBSI’s enclave in Socorro
town, Surigao del Norte province.

The senator said more SBSI members had also expressed their willingness to testify against Quilario after the Senate
conducted a grueling eight-hour investigation of the group’s activities last week.

“These four adults were actually brought by the leaders of the cult [from Socorro] as witnesses against the municipal
social welfare officers,” Hontiveros said in a radio interview.

“Hopefully in our next hearing, they will testify in support of their children and against the leaders of the cult,” she
said.

Aside from the parents, she said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had also requested the DSWD to place under
its care three children who were also brought by the SBSI leaders to supposedly defend Quilario at the Senate
inquiry.

Hontiveros had rejected the attempt to present the minors as witnesses since they did not undergo “social
preparation” by social welfare officers as mandated by law.

In a letter dated Sept. 28, a copy of which was provided by Hontiveros’ office, Remulla asked Social Welfare Secretary
Rex Gatchalian to provide protective custody for nine minors and four adult members of the SBSI as recommended
by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

“There is very strong evidence that these children and adults are victims of human trafficking, forced labor, forced
marriage and other forms of child abuse committed by key officials of SBSI,” Remulla told Gatchalian.

Hontiveros, the chair of the Senate committee on women, family relations and gender equality, had initiated the
inquiry after her office was informed about the nightmarish experience of the children whose parents were allegedly
brainwashed by the SBSI.

One of the victim-survivors, who was identified only as “Jane,” told the senators that she was just 14 last year when
Quilario forced her to marry an 18-year-old man whom she never met before.

She said it was Quilario, known to his followers as “Senior Agila,” who had paired him with her husband despite her
objection. Another witness, a 12-year-old boy, said they were physically assaulted by the leaders of the SBSI and that
they were made to undergo military training as child soldiers.
**Fact Sheet: Allegations Against Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI)**
**WHO:**
- Senator Risa Hontiveros
- Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) - Alleged cult/group
- SBSI President Jey Rence Quilario
- Parents of children involved with SBSI
- Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla
- Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian
- Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking
**WHAT:**
- Allegations of forced underage marriages, child abuse, and cultic rituals within SBSI.
- Parents of children who were allegedly forced into these practices are willing to testify against SBSI President Jey
Rence Quilario.
- DOJ recommends placing these parents and children under government protective custody.
- Senator Risa Hontiveros is leading an investigation into SBSI's activities.
**WHERE:**
- The alleged incidents occurred within the SBSI's enclave in Socorro town, Surigao del Norte province, Philippines.
**WHEN:**
- Senator Risa Hontiveros initiated the investigation after receiving reports of alleged abuses and cult-like activities
within SBSI.
- Ongoing investigations and testimonies are taking place, and the situation is developing.
**WHY:**
- Allegations include forced underage marriages, child abuse, forced labor, forced military training, and other forms of
child abuse within the SBSI.
- The parents of the affected children initially defended SBSI but later changed their stance after government
intervention.
- DOJ recommends protective custody for the alleged victims due to strong evidence of human trafficking and abuse.
**HOW:**
- Senator Risa Hontiveros is leading the Senate committee's investigation.
- Parents and children involved are willing to testify against SBSI President Jey Rence Quilario.
- DOJ and DSWD are involved in providing protective custody and support for the alleged victims.
- The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking is also monitoring the situation.
**INTERVIEW SCRIPT:**
- Interviewee: Senator Risa Hontiveros or a representative from the DOJ or DSWD.
- Questions may include:
- Can you provide more details about the allegations against SBSI?
- What actions have been taken so far to protect the alleged victims?
- How is the government working to ensure the safety and well-being of the children involved?
- What are the next steps in the investigation and legal proceedings?
- Are there any plans to dismantle or address the activities of SBSI?
- How can the public and communities help support the alleged victims?
**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:**
- The allegations against SBSI involve forced marriages, child abuse, forced labor, and cult-like practices.
- Victims include both children and adults who were allegedly manipulated and subjected to these practices.
- The DOJ and DSWD have recommended protective custody for the alleged victims due to concerns of human
trafficking and abuse.
- Senator Risa Hontiveros is leading the investigation as the chair of the Senate committee on women, family
relations, and gender equality.
- The situation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as the investigation unfolds.