The Kapihan Story

1. The Association
2. The Place
3. The Personalities
4. The Story
   • 4.1. Kapihan Chronology of Events
   • 4.2. Kapihan Tourism Enterprise Zone
5. The MLGU-Socorro Long-Term Measures

The Association – Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. 

Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. was, and is still, the largest people’s organization in Socorro with a total membership of approximately 5,000 members prior to 2019.

Under the leadership of its virtuous President Mrs. Rosalina L. Taruc, SBSI operated as a peaceful organization with the members practicing the “bayanihan” way of life.

The Place – Sitio Kapihan, Sering, Socorro, Surigao del Norte

A 353-hectare timberland awarded on June 15, 2004 to the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. by the DENR through the Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA) tenurial instrument granting the SBSI the authority to manage the area for 25 years which is renewable for another 25 years.

The Personalities – Persons Involved in the Kapihan Story 

1.  Mr. Jey Rence B. Quilario
   Born on November 10, 2000, he is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Roel E. Quilario, who are both teachers,  from Nueva Estrella, Socorro, Surigao del Norte.
   He is inclined to “acting” while in high school days. In fact, in a role play during a youth summer encampment of the Philippine Ecumenical Christian Church (PECC) held in Pilar, Siargao Island, he played the role of “God” that gained the admonition, instead of admiration, from the priest
2. Mr. Karren J. Sanico
   One of the most wealthy businessmen in Socorro. He used to own and operate a bakeshop strategically located near the Port of Dapa which is the commercial center of Siargao Island.
   He is known to be a business partner of a Municipal Circuit Trial Court judge assigned in the town of Dapa  who was named in former President Duterte’s August 2016 narco list and fatally murdered in his house at the town of Del Carmen on November 1, 2019.
3. Mr. Mamerto D. Galanida
   Former Schools Division Superintendent, 3-term Mayor of Socorro (2001-2010) and 3-term Board Member of Surigao del Norte (2010-2019)
4. Mrs. Janeth T. Ajoc
   An ordinary housewife residing at Barangay Sudlon, Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

The Story

4.1.  Kapihan Chronology of Events

• SBSI had changed its course from the path of peaceful co-existence with the government, the community and other stakeholders into the “surprising” journey of controversy.
• Early 2017 – the spoiled brat JEY RENCE B. QUILARIO ran away from their home as he was admonished by his parents to split with his lover and focus on his studies.
• He skipped some meals that resulted to some hallucination tendencies and subjected by his parents to the care of faith healers.
• May, 2017- MR. KARREN J. SANICO took JEY RENCE under his care, housed him in Barangay Sudlon and hired MS. JANETH T. AJOC as all-around nanny of the latter.
• June, 2017- KARREN introduced JEY RENCE to some members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. in Barangay Sudlon as having possessed with “Divine Spirits”.
• JEY RENCE told the Bayanihan leaders and members some weird stories of “apparitions” of the child Jesus allegedly informing him of God’s intention to become a human and that his body was chosen to become “God’s reincarnation host;”
• Eventually, KARREN introduced JEY RENCE to the SBSI members as the reincarnation of Senior Sto. Nino, hence, the name SENIOR AGILA.
• July, 2017- MR. MAMERO D. GALANIDA, who is a great orator, became a partner of KARREN in promoting JEY RENCE  as a super human under the  “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come back again” biblical doctrine.
• Being the Secretary General of the Socorro Bayanihan Service, Inc., he was able to convince the Bayanihan President Rosalina L. Taruc that JEY RENCE is indeed the re-incarnation of the child Jesus.
• Though Mrs. Rosalina L. Taruc was still alive but JEY RENCE became the de facto leader of the SBSI.
• At least a day prior to any scheduled meeting of the SBSI, MAMERTO would write a message on a piece of paper, let JEY RENCE memorize the same to be delivered during the group’s meeting.
• February 8, 2019 at 7:55 PM – Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake struck Socorro and neighboring places.
• Members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI) hastily abandoned their homes and proceeded to Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Sering, Socorro, Surigao del Norte upon orders of JEY RENCE as it’s already “the end of the world.”
• Ten (10) Socorro teachers, who have served as coaches, have left their respective posts during the in-house sports training in Dapa Central Elementary School, leaving the athletes unattended and to no one’s care. They have also brought with them approximately 20 athletes and went to Sitio Kapihan.
• February 11, 2019 – 42 elementary teachers and 43 secondary teachers from Socorro East and West Districts, who were SBSI members, have started incurring absences without notice to their heads and the Division Office.
• June to July, 2019 – 33 elementary teachers and 36 secondary teachers submitted resignation letters while 8 elementary and 8 elementary teachers were on AWOL and were dropped from the rolls.
• June to July, 2019 – Thirteen (13) regular employees and Forty One (41) Job Order workers from the Municipal Local Government Unit of Socorro have resigned.
• June to July, 2019 – Two (2) Punong Barangay and a sizeable number of Kagawads have resigned.
• June to July, 2019 – Thirty three (33) regular employees of the Socorro Empowered People’s Cooperative (SOEMCO) have resigned.
• June to July, 2019 – Enrolments at the Socorro East and West Districts had an alarming decrease of 847 learners both in the elementary and secondary level.
• As of November 6, 2019 – One hundred Twenty one (121) members of the Socorro Empowered Peoples Cooperative (SOEMCO), who are SBSI members, abandoned their loans with the total principal balance of PhP 8.9 Million excluding interest and other charges.
• Series of coordination meetings were conducted by various agencies (DepEd, DENR, DILG, PNP), the MLGU-Socorro and Officers of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. with the hope of finding solution to the various incidents but in vain.
• November 5, 2019, which is just four (4) days after the former MCTC Judge included in Pres. Duerte’s narco list was gunned down, an audio-visual presentation dubbed “AGILA” circulated on social media showing military training activities involving men, women and children in Sitio Kapihan allegedly handled and supervised by nine (9) AWOL Philippine National Police personnel who are SBSI members.
• A copy of the above-cited  Audio-Visual presentation can be watched at the following URL: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=kapihan%20traininbg%20video%20rpn%20dxks
• December 1, 2019, which is just 30 days after the former MCTC Judge included in Pres. Duterte’s narco list was gunned down, a Graduation Photo of the AGILA Private Army was circulated on social media. The mentioned picture can be seen at the following URL: https://web.facebook.com/RPNSurigao1080/posts/pfbid02pQEVdG3fjobS5hyXXxszzaCQFJkqcXEtWknSKqr3FnReLwxwR8KFNf9Gq2CRoT51l
• It is worthy to mention that KARREN J. SANICO is the Supreme Commander of the Agila Private Army.
• Instead of promoting the well-being of the members, the primary concern of JEY RENCE, dubbed as SENIOR AGILA, and his cohorts was for the security of the Kapihan community in the guise of a perceived attack from the government.
• Aside from three (3) layers of entrance gates, forty-eight (48) guard posts, named “fox holes,” were installed in strategic areas surrounding the Kapihan community.
• Able-bodied men were ordered to be on-duty at the gates and fox holes for five (5) straight days a week on a 24-hour basis.
• Married men have to leave their respective families every Sunday, leaving their wives to tend to their family members and securing for their food and other basic needs as the husbands would return to their respective families every Friday.
• SBSI members were divided into seven (7) clusters, namely: “Agila”, “Agnus”, “Bium”, “Ciera”, “Deo”, “Eli”, and “Fetus.”

2023 POPULATION CENSUS OF SOCORRO BAYANIHAN SERVICES, INC.

 Source: Ms. Chinga Lea Q. Yamson, SBSI Secretary General

• Members of cluster Agila are considered as the highly capable combatants and they have the most extreme military-style training. Out of the original 107, now 132, Agila members, 50 of them were issued with high powered firearms (M4, caliber .45 pistols, KG9, carbine, M14 and cal. 50).
• Secondary to them are the clusters Agnus and Bium while the cluster Fetus are for minor children.
• It is noteworthy that cluster Fetus members are separated from their homes and housed in a facility called “barracks” for indoctrination and slight trainings.
• June 27, 2021 -The esteemed and virtuous SBSI President Mrs. Rosalina L. Taruc mysteriously died. Her daughter former Mayor Denia T, Florano also passed away eight (8) days later. 
• Four (4) new Bayanihan leaders had emerged, namely: Mr. Jey Rence B. Quilario, a.k.a. Senior Agila, the President and revered “Messiah;” Mr. Mamerto D. Galanida, the brain in Kapihan and speech writer of Jey Rence; Mr. Karren J. Sanico, the Kapihan architect and; Ms. Janeth T. Ajoc, who emerged as the Kapihan Gatekeeper and Treasurer.
• July 26, 2021 – Mr. Edelito C. Sangco created the “La Verdad” Facebook Page, with URL: https://www.facebook.com/NeoLaVerdad/, purposely to expose the alleged anomalies committed by the leaders of Sitio Kapihan as revealed to him by the Former Kapihan Residents.
• The previous and present officials of the Municipal Local Government Unit of Socorro had truly faced a blank wall on what specific intervention/s to be done in Kapihan given that the people involved have adopted the “Mafia-style policy of Omerta,” which is generally referred to as “a code of silence about criminal activity and a refusal to give evidence to authorities.
• April, 2023 (First Week)- Some Former Kapihan Residents, whose human rights were being trampled upon by the Kapihan leaders, have expressed willingness to cooperate with the MGLU of Socorro.
• Former Kapihan Residents Randolf Dizon Balbarino and Jackielou Mondragon Basco were vocal in the social media asking for help on their plight that their respective spouses were married by Jey Rence in Sitio Kapihan.
• In one of his post on Facebook, Randolf Dizon Balbarino expressed his suicidal tendencies as he can no longer handle the pain caused by the marriage of his beloved wife to the husband of Jackielou.
• April 7, 2023 – Mr. Edelito C. Sangco, acting on the cry for help of Randolf and Jackielou about their plight, had posted on Facebook “A CALL FOR SOCIAL MEDIA PEOPLE POWER FOR ALL READERS FROM SOCORRO AND OTHER PLACES.”
• The post heartily appealed for a widespread Social Media People Power for the solution of an enormous social problem faced by the town of Socorro, Bucas Grande Island adjacent to Siargao, Province of Surigao del Norte. It can be seen at the following URL: https://www.facebook.com/edsangco/posts/pfbid02PTjJiTZ7G14UHv3DKMZ2VufgUb5eBiBZLDPppm313ZWq5yipv7hKxKCehK7VAB6Zl.
• April 10, 2023- Municipal Mayor Riza Rafonselle T, Timcang issued Executive Order No. 48, Series of 2023, entitled: “AN ORDER CREATING THE SOCORRO TASK FORCE KAPIHAN PRESCRIBING ITS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF.” Copy of Executive Order No. 48 can be accessed at the following URL: https://web.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0Hecd8Wcd3Dp3icqLDywcpEnM624ABJuEeKnSgXJuEF6x7cWnPLFKHh1fY9CcCq3El&id=100064660392926
• The primary function of the Task Force is formulating strategies to respond to the pressing problems, issues and concerns confronting the island town of Socorro relative to the Kapihan incident and identify  short-term, determine medium-term and pinpoint long-term Programs, Projects and Activities (PPAs) relative to the Kapihan incident and identify Key Performance Indicators (KPI) or Key Result Areas (KRA) for each Program, Project and Activity for submission to the Office of the Mayor and for appropriate action by the Sangguniang Bayan, as the need arises.
• April 18, 2023 – First interview on the Kapihan Incident with Mr. Edelito C. Sangco, Chairperson of the Socorro Task Force Kapihan, at RPN Radio Station DXKS anchored by Station Manager Jun Clerigo. Series of interviews with the said radio station on the same topic were done on various dates.
• April 19, 2023 (4:30 AM) – Interview on the Kapihan Incident with Mr. Edelito C. Sangco. Chairperson of the Socorro Task Force Kapihan, at Radio Station DZRH anchored by veteran broadcaster Congressman Angelo Palmones. Recording of the interview can be accessed at the following URL: https://fb.watch/lG9FfZ86ak/
• April 19, 2023 (9:00 AM) – Meeting between the Socorro Task Force Kapihan Members, which was attended by the Municipal Local Officials and PNP personnel, with the Kapihan whistleblowers was held.
• During the meeting, the following heinous crimes happening inside the gated Kapihan were revealed by the eye-witnesses:
  • The alleged presence of a shabu laboratory at the underground bunker within the vicinity of the white house where the two (2) Kapihan Leaders Karren J. Sanico and Jey Rence B. Quilario are residing;
  • The alleged murder by poisoning of Mrs. Rosalina L. Taruc, who was the esteemed and virtuous President Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. in 2021 and of her daughter former Mayor Denia T, Florano and incoming Bayanihan leader who mysteriously died eight days after the death of her mother;
  • The alleged presence of a heavily-armed private army dubbed as the “Agila”  with the arms, ammunitions and uniforms allegedly provided by extremist groups in Southern Mindanao. Moreover, the people in the heavily-guarded Sitio Kapihan were being used as “human shields” by one of the four (4) identified group leaders in the person of Karren J. Sanico;
  • Alleged massive denial committed by a certain Janeth T. Ajoc, the Kapihan Gatekeeper, to ordinary group members to avail their constitutionally-guaranteed right to travel as they are permitted to leave the heavily guarded and gated Kapihan community only once a month but are required to return home before 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon while the four (4) identified leaders and their respective families are traveling, scot-free, to any parts of the country;
  • Alleged massive forced marriage at the age of twelve (12) of children-members with the Supreme Leader Jey Rence Quilario ordering the girl-bride to sleep with him first for one (1) night before being turned over to the young groom. Moreover, children starting from birth up to their marriage are not allowed to go out of the gated community;
  • Allegedly, children five years old and above are being separated from their parents and hauled into a barracks for indoctrination, year-round that resulted to the alleged rape of a six-year-old child committed by a few of her male children’s barracks-companions;
  • Alleged violence against women and men committed by the four (4) identified Kapihan leaders, especially the Supreme Leader Jey Rence Quilario as the husbands of the wives who chose to bolt out of the group to seek employment and support their families are forcibly married to wives of men who bolted out of the group to also seek employment and support their family against their will;
  • Alleged massive denial to ordinary group members to avail medical and hospitalization services outside of the sitio while the four (4) identified leaders and their respective families who caught even a slight fever are immediately being hospitalized in private medical facilities outside of the island town;
  • Alleged abuses committed by the four (4) identified leaders of the group, especially Janeth T. Ajoc, in collecting fifty per cent (50%) of the wages of their carpenter/mason members, fifty per cent (50%) of the fish catch of their fishermen-members, thirty per cent (30%)  share of the proceeds on the sale of the members’ real properties, and (50%) of subsidies for 4Ps and Senior Citizens;
  • Alleged massive denial to ordinary group members to avail their rightful share of  government assistance during Typhoon Odette as the food packs intended for families are being stocked centrally with each and every ordinary family, regardless of size, were only allowed to beg for three small plastic buckets of rice and three packs of pancit canton per week while the four (4) identified leaders and their respective families are consuming the good quality relief goods with a lot of canned goods being transported out of the gated community to unknown destinations.
• Based on the testimonies of the Former Kapihan Residents, it has become evident that the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. has been converted from a peace-loving and law-abiding civil society organization into a “CULT.”
• According to the article written and Published by the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA/AFF), which can be seen at https://drsteveeichel.com/about-cults, there are fourteen (14) characteristics of a cultic group, all of which are evident in Sitio Kapihan.
• The cultic indicators are printed in ordinary black font and the corresponding Kapihan practices in black bold and italic font, as follows:
  • The group is focused on a living leader to whom members seem to display excessively zealous, unquestioning commitment. Mr. Jey Rence B. Quilario, a.k.a. Senior Agila; Mr. Mamerto D. Galanida; Mr. Karren J. Sanico and; Ms. Janeth T. Ajoc command unquestioning loyalty from the Kapihan residents;
  • The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members. Generally speaking, the various People’s Organizations in Socorro are limiting their membership to the direct descendants of the original members of Tinabangay Group organized in 1950. However, the Kapihan leaders invited their former members who are already living outside Socorro, including their respective non-Socorronhon spouses, to join with them when they transferred their residence to Kapihan;
  • The group is preoccupied with making money. Kapihan leaders are collecting fifty per cent (50%) of the wages of their carpenter/mason-members; fifty per cent (50%) of the fish catch of their fishermen-members as well as 4Ps and Senior Citizen’s government subsidy and; thirty per cent (30%) share of the proceeds on the sale of the members’ real properties;
  • Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished. Violators of Kapihan laws, rules and regulations were punished with “paddling” and “isolation.”
  • Mind-numbing techniques (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, debilitating work routines) are used to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s). After midnight, Jey Rence Quilario would bark in the centralized sound system in Kapihan ordering the members to pray the Fifteen Mysteries (15 Misteryos) until the morning. After breakfast, people are ordered to work in infrastructure projects, engage in military-style trainings and other strenuous activities. Worst, instead of promoting the well-being of the members, the primary concern of the Bayanihan leaders was for the security of the Kapihan community in the guise of a perceived attack from the government. Aside from three (3) layers of entrance gates, forty-eight (48) guard posts, named “fox holes,” were installed in strategic areas
  •  surrounding the Kapihan community. Able-bodied men were ordered to be on-duty at the fox holes for five (5) straight days a week on a 24-hour basis. In so doing, married men have to leave their respective families every Sunday, leaving their wives to tend to their family members and securing for their food and other basic needs as the husbands would return to their respective families every Friday;
  • The leadership dictates sometimes in great detail how members should think, act, and feel (for example: members must get permission from leaders to date, change jobs, get married; leaders may prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, how to discipline children, and so forth). Ladies were ordered to have uniform hair cut (boy cut type). Children, from birth to marriage, as well as men and women whose spouses did not go with them in Kapihan, are not allowed to visit the lowland communities. Ordinary members need to secure gate pass before being allowed to go out of Sitio Kapihan but are allowed to visit the lowland communities only once a month provided that they will return to Kapihan before 4:00 pm of the same day while the families of the four (4) leaders dubbed as “royal families” can travel anywhere in the Philippines at their own will and volition. Children starting at the age of 12 are married with Jey Rence determining whom the child would marry. Men and women whose spouses refused to go with them to Kapihan were ordered to re-marry despite the fact that their respective spouses are still very much alive in the town center;
  • The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and members (for example: the leader is considered the Messiah or an avatar; the group and/or the leader has a special mission to save humanity). Jey Rence Quilario is revered as the reincarnation of the child Jesus. Kapihan residents were told that only they themselves could enter the Kingdon of God and all others in the lowland would go to hell;
  • The group has a polarized us- versus-them mentality, which causes conflict with the wider society. Bayanihan Members are indoctrinated that “heaven” is found in Kapihan and “hell” is found in the lowlands;
  • The group’s leader is not accountable to any authorities (as are, for example, military commanders and ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream denominations). Bayanihan leaders enforce their own laws, rules and regulations in Kapihan as if they are living in a separate nation and are defying orders of the Socorro local authorities specially the COVID-19 protocols;
  • The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify means that members would have considered unethical before joining the group (for example: collecting money for bogus charities). Members of Bayanihan group are told that the money collected from the members goes to the Ministry and for the benefit of the ordinary members but allegedly goes to the pockets of the four Bayanihan leaders;
  • The leadership induces guilt feelings in members in order to control them. Jey Rence occasionally predicts that the end of the world is coming at a specific date. Whenever his prediction fails, he would tell the members that he asked God the Father to postpone the catastrophe as many of the members are still sinners. In doing so, the ordinary members were made to believe that had it not been for the intercession of Jey Rence to his father God, the world’s existence would have ended;
  • Members’ subservience to the group causes them to cut ties with family and friends, and to give up personal goals and activities that were of interest before joining the group. Bayanihan members are ordered to resign from their jobs in government and private agencies. However, Mamerto D. Galanida is continuously receiving his salary as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Bucas Grande Foundation College until nowadays.  Men and women are ordered to abandon their families in the lowland community who refused to go with them in Kapihan. Bayanihan members are indoctrinated that it’s better to betray their parents and siblings in the name of Jey Rence, the resurrected God;
  • Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group. Bayanihan members are required to spend their time complying the orders of Jey Rence instead of the usual practice of doing what they intend to do for themselves and their families like offering voluntary works in infrastructure projects, participate in military-like trainings and others;
  • Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members. Obviously, Bayanihan members are required to live in the heavily-guarded Sitio Kapihan.
• After the meeting, Municipal Mayor Riza Rafonselle T, Timcang ordered that the whistle blowers, especially the minors, would be housed at the Municipal Training Center for their safety;
• April 20, 2023- Mr. Edelito C. Sangco, Municipal Agriculturist and Chairman of the Socorro Task Force Kapihan, had a “no-holds-barred interview” with the Mabuhay Radio Japan Worldwide, exposing the alleged crimes happening in Sitio Kapihan as alleged by the whistleblowers. Recording of the interview can be accessed at the following URL: https://fb.watch/lG9M1rfCke/;
• Ms. Dianne Dantes, a former Bayanihan member now based in the US, Dr. Gian Dave C. Guma, a Kapihan victim himself,  as well as Ms. Lovely Novie G. Savandal, a Former Kapihan Resident, were also interviewed by the said radio station thereby increasing the awareness among the non-Socorronhon on the Kapihan incident. Recordings of their interviews can be seen at: https://fb.watch/lS_Yfdtmzq/; https://fb.watch/lS-16KbvW9/; https://fb.watch/lS-3Imektq/, respectively;
• April 22, 2023 – The Honorable Congressman Filemon M. Espares, Representative of the COOP-NATCCO Partylist who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, visited the Socorro Empowered People’s Cooperative (SOEMCO). He was appraised by the SOEMCO Board about the Kapihan Incident particularly on the massive loan default by Kapihan members.
• April 25, 2023 – Upon the suggestion of Congressman Filemon M. Espares, the Sangguniang Bayan passed resolutions requesting the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives, to conduct investigation, in aid of legislation, about the alleged various crimes committed in Sitio Kapihan.       
• Subsequently, the Municipal Peace and Order Council passed various resolutions in support to the peace and order-related resolutions of the Sangguniang Bayan. Resolutions were addressed to the Chairperson of the following House Committees:
  
  a. Banks and Financial Intermediaries;
  b. Basic Education and Culture;
  c. Cooperative Development;
  d. Civil Service and Professional Regulation;
  e. Dangerous Drugs;
  f. Health;
  g. Human Rights;
  h. Justice;
  i. Labor and Employment;
  j. Public Order and Safety;
  k. Social Services;
  l. Welfare of Children;
  m. Women and Gender Equality.
• April 26, 2023- Municipal Mayor Riza Rafonselle T, Timcang wrote a letter to Atty. Medardo De Lemos, Director, National Bureau of Investigation requesting for Urgent Investigative Assistance on the Alleged Crimes Committed by the Four (4) Identified Leaders of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc.
• May 3, 2023- Municipal Mayor Riza Rafonselle T, Timcang issued Executive Order No. 49, Series of 2023 entitled: “AN ORDER IMPOSING A TEMPORARY BAN ON THE ENTRY TO SITIO KAPIHAN, BARANGAY N. SERING, SOCORRO, SURIGAO DEL NORTE OF ANY PERSON OR GROUP OF PERSONS EITHER ON HIS/HER PERSONAL CAPACITY OR REPRESENTING ANY PRIVATE OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY WHO ARE NON-RESIDENTS OF THE SAID COMMUNITY EXCEPT IN CASES OF EMERGENCY AS DECLARED BY THE MUNICIPAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT OR ANY APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY.” The said Executive Order was declared by the Provincial Governor, the Honorable Robert Lyndon S. Barbers as Valid and Constitutional. Copy of Executive Order No. 49 can be accessed at the following URL:
• https://web.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0NeMDiBvi12pa8E1rrPod9H1bZebe9twvNFwjNmvNGmfgGewJxAi6yBHhUSkkrjcul&id=100064660392926
• May 4, 2023- Five (5) agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrived in Socorro, conducted interviews and got the testimonies of the Kapihan eye witnesses.
• Acting on the advise of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents to safekeep the child witnesses, the Socorro Task Force Kapihan and Mayor Riza Rafonselle T. Timcang, designated the Municipal Training Center located within the vicinity of the Municipal Hall as safehouse of the child witnesses.
• May 5, 2023- Municipal Mayor Riza Rafonselle T, Timcang issued Executive Order No. 50, Series of 2023 entitled: “AN ORDER EXPANDING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SOCORRO TASK FORCE KAPIHAN, PRESCRIBING ITS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF.” Copy of Executive Order No. 50 can be accessed at the following URL:
• https://web.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0toTYi7m8maFmGofX8tX9mSxLNzNutB9qqLnPwVZTjZvPuECXvqBVCVsej8EPx43gl&id=100064660392926
• May 18, 2023 – the Bucas Grande Balanghai Hotel, located adjacent to the Socorro Public Market, was opened as a halfway house for Former Kapihan Residents and the witnesses housed at the MLGU Training Center were transferred to the said facility opened for the purpose;
• May 21, 2023 – Mayor Riza Rafonselle T. Timcang wrote an Urgent Letter-Request addressed to Governor Lyndon S. Barbers for the Provincial Government to take custody of the Child Witnesses, including some adult witnesses, against the Kapihan Leaders for security reasons as Agila Private Army were seen conducting mapping operations within the vicinity of the safe house.
• On the same date, which was a Sunday, the child and adult witnesses, were turned over to the custody of the Provincial Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in Surigao City.
• May 30, 2023- Sangguniang Bayan of Socorro passed Ordinance No. 006-2023, entitled: “AN ORDINANCE MANDATING THE USE OF PRE-EMPTIVE MEASURES DURING IMMINENT DANGER FROM CIVIL UNREST IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SOCORRO, SURIGAO DEL NORTE AND PROVIDING GUIDELINES THEREOF.” On July 17, 2023, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan declared the Ordinance as INVALID. Copy of Ordinance No. 006-2023 can be accessed at the following URL:
• https://web.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02fRC7hZr2KnKUzk4ZohSWpdvBbWvnRvmWmNwjHkbxBdbqwr8PqmM8RYYA7zKzyEvil&id=100064660392926
• June 1, 2023 – the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Municipal Government of Socorro and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer filed a complaint at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, under NPS Docket No. XIII-06a-INV-23F-114, against thirteen (13) identified Kapihan Leaders for QUALIFIED TRAFFICKING, KIDNAPPING AND SERIOUS ILLEGAL DETENTION, VIOLATION OF RA 11596 (Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage Act) and VIOLATION OF RA 7610 (Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act).
• June 11, 2023 – The seven (7) child and Eight (8) adult Kapihan Witnesses, including their respective families, returned to the Balanghai Hotel where they are staying until nowadays.
• July 14, 2023 – Lawyers from the Cebu for Human Rights NGO met with the Socorro Task Force Kapihan to help the MLGU-Socorro and other stakeholders in winning the war against the Kapihan Cult.

4.2.  The Kapihan Tourism Enterprise Zone:

• 2014– By virtue of Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009,  the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone  Authority (TIEZA) had designated the Kapihan Nature and Adventure Park (KNAP) as the Top 3 among the 10 selected Tourism Enterprise Zones in the Philippines.
• 2015– TIEZA shelled out PhP 12.0 Million for the preparation of the Bucas Grande Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (BGFTEZ) Masterplan with UP-PLANADES as consultant.
• 2016– The draft of the Comprehensive Tourism Master Plan (CTMP) of the Bucas Grande Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (BGFTEZ) was finalized with the total investment requirement of PhP 2.72 Billion to be allocated for:
  • Road and Drainage Development (PhP 101,321,954.00 representing 4% of the total requirement);
  • Infrastructure Development (PhP 94,000,000.00 representing 3% of the funding requirement);
  • Tourism Zone Development (PhP 2,354,257,165 accounting for 87% of the total investment requirement;
  • Tourism Product Development (PhP 162,080,750 representing 6% of the required investment amount;
  • Other Sectoral Program and Projects (PhP 7,958,752.00 representing 0.29% of the total investment requirement.
  • The Audio Visual Presentation prepared by the UP PLANADES about the Bucas Grande Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (BGFTEZ) can be accessed at the following URL: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1753020631620143&extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=VUMmCQ&ref=sharing
• 2018– The Comprehensive Tourism Master Plan (CTMP) of the Bucas Grande Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (BGFTEZ) was approved by the TIEZA Board for implementation in 2019.
• February 8, 2019– The 5,000 members-strong Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. abandoned their homes in the lowland communities and settled for good in Sitio Kapihan.
• 2019– Series of coordination meeting were conducted between the TIEZA, MLGU-Socorro and officers of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. about the BGFTEZ implementation but the latter were steadfast on their stand for their members to stay at Sitio Kapihan.
• Later part of 2019– The TIEZA Board had decided to abandon the Bucas Grande Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (BGFTEZ).
• The billions of investments projected to be attracted and the thousands of jobs expected to be generated, including the domino effect that the BGFTEZ would create to the socio-economic development of Bucas Grande Island, is forever lost due to the presence of the Kapihan Cult at the project site.

MLGU-Socorro Long-Term Measures:

By virtue of Executive Order Numbers 50 and 50-A, copy of which can be accessed at the following URL: https://web.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02xTmAr7hwvezQNzYLfRndFoq7wbK46gJNeGjRiPXjQTaBsuPDw3T54a9vYWHU5ic9l&id=100064660392926, numerous Technical Support Teams (TSTs) were created within the   Expanded Socorro Task Force Kapihan, as follows:

  5.1. Logistics, Finance and Reintegration Team (LFRT) tasked to:

a. Provide logistics/resources support and take charge on financial matters of the Expanded Socorro Kapihan Task Force and the various Technical Support Teams including, but not limited to, budget preparation and execution;
b. Prepare and spearhead the implementation and subsequent monitoring and evaluation of the    Comprehensive Municipal Reintegration Plan (CMRP) taking into consideration the plans formulated by the various Technical Support Teams (TSTs);
c. Facilitate the establishment and operationalization of the Halfway House.
d. Provide Reintegration Assistance to Former Kapihan Resident’s (FKRs);
e.  Source out external funds from government agencies and local and international humanitarian organizations to finance the programs, projects and activities embodied in the Comprehensive Municipal Reintegration Plan (CMRP);
f. Perform such other duties and function as the Municipal Mayor may, from time to time, designate.

  5.2. Social Welfare and Development Team  tasked to:

a. Prepare and spearhead the implementation and subsequent monitoring and evaluation of the Former Kapihan Residents Reintegration Plan (FKRRP) for submission to the Logistics, Finance and Reintegration Team as basis in the preparation of the Comprehensive Municipal Reintegration Plan (CMRP);
b. Provide counselling services to Former Kapihan Residents (FKRs);
c. Operate, on a 24-hour basis and 7-days a week, the Halfway House;
d. Perform such other duties and function as the Municipal Mayor may, from time to time, designate.

5.3. Security Team tasked to:

a. Prepare and spearhead the implementation and subsequent monitoring and evaluation of the Kapihan Rescue and Security Plan (KRSP) for submission to the Logistics, Finance and Reintegration Team as basis in the preparation of the Comprehensive Municipal Reintegration Plan (CMRP);
b. Provide security to the Former Kapihan Residents (FKRs) staying at the Halfway House and any other security arrangements;
c. Provide the necessary investigative and legal assistance to Former Kapihan Residents (FKRs);
d. Perform such other duties and function as the Municipal Mayor may, from time to time, designate.

  5.4. Health and Wellness Team tasked to:

a. Prepare and spearhead the implementation and subsequent monitoring and evaluation of the Former Kapihan Residents Health and Wellness Plan (FKRHWP) for submission to the Logistics, Finance and Reintegration Team as basis in the preparation of the Comprehensive Municipal Reintegration Plan (CMRP);
b. Provide Health, Wellness and Psychological/Psychiatric Service to Former Kapihan Residents (FKRs);
c. Perform such other duties and function as the Municipal Mayor may, from time to time, designate.

  5.5. Emergency Response Team tasked to:

a. Prepare and spearhead the implementation and subsequent monitoring and evaluation of the Kapihan Emergency Response Plan (KERP) for submission to the Logistics, Finance and Reintegration Team as basis in the preparation of the Comprehensive Municipal Reintegration Plan (CMRP);
b. Perform such other duties and function as the Municipal Mayor may, from time to time, designate.

  5.6. Information and Education Campaign (IEC) Team tasked to:

a. Prepare and spearhead the implementation and subsequent monitoring and evaluation of the Kapihan Education and Information Campaign Plan (KEICP) for submission to the Logistics, Finance and Reintegration Team as basis in the preparation of the Comprehensive Municipal Reintegration Plan (CMRP);
b. Perform such other duties and function as the Municipal Mayor may, from time to time, designate.

  5.7. Healing and Reconciliation Team  tasked to:

a. Prepare and spearhead the implementation and subsequent monitoring and evaluation of the Former Kapihan Residents Healing and Reconciliation Plan (FKRHRP) for submission to the Logistics, Finance and Reintegration Team as basis in the preparation of the Comprehensive Municipal Reintegration Plan (CMRP);
b. Perform such other duties and function as the Municipal Mayor may, from time to time, designate.

  5.8. Sustainable Development Networking Team (SDNT)  tasked to:

a. Prepare and spearhead the implementation and subsequent monitoring and evaluation of the Former Kapihan Residents Sustainable Development Plan (FKRSDP) for submission to the Logistics, Finance and Reintegration Team as basis in the preparation of the Comprehensive Municipal Reintegration Plan (CMRP);
b. Facilitate the organization of an International Donors Forum to advance philanthropy and development efforts in support to the Former Kapihan Residents Sustainable Development Plan (FKRSDP), in particular, and the Comprehensive Municipal Reintegration Plan (CMRP), in general;
c. Perform such other duties and function as the Municipal Mayor may, from time to time, designate.