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Surigao del Norte parish denies affiliation with Socorro group

Philippines | National

Surigao del Norte parish denies affiliation with Socorro group

By Manila Bulletin

The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Bucas Grande Island, Surigao del Norte strongly denied any affiliation with the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc., also known as “Kapihan Group.”

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish-The Augustinians

“This Kapihan Group believes that a certain man by the name of Jay Rence Quilario is their god, whom they fondly call Señor Agila. Jay Rence claims to be the reincarnation of god and even uses our beloved Santo Niño in their indocrination,” the church leaders said in a parish statement dated Sept. 23 and posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) Facebook page on Sept. 27.

“In this respect, the Catholic parish in Socorro, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish strongly insists that this group has no affiliation with the parish or with any Catholic organization,” the statement read, which was signed by Resident Priest Ronnel Iam M. Garcia, Parochial Vicar James Jr. O. Alibong, and Parish Priest Christian E. Fuentanares.

In her privilege speech on Sept. 18, Sen. Risa Hontiveros exposed the alleged inhumane and illegal actions of the Socorro group based in the municipality of Socorro, Surigao del Norte province.

She described the group as a “cult” and “locus of multifarious abuses of leaders towards their followers.”

“Our hearts felt such strong feelings of pity and remorse for the victims,” the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish said.

“This context therefore moves us to ask for help from the different agencies and organizations who can rescue the followers from the clutches of their deceitful and abusive leaders” it added.

The Catholic Church also requested prayers for the island-municipality of Socorro and the Bayanihan group's alleged victims.

“Please pray for the residents of the island. Please pray for peace in this far-flung place of mission,” the Catholic leaders said. (Erika Mariel Custodio Escover)

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