I GREW up in a depressed urban poor community that taught me how to be street-smart. An oft-repeated dictum I learned was that there were only two types of people: the smart ones who fool the gullible who allow it to happen and the gullible who get fooled.

I have outgrown such simplification. Understanding cults requires more than just putting labels on people.

When we hear the term “cult,” we often think of a group of people with fringe beliefs, be it an extreme religious or ideological worldview, and usually led by self-appointed charismatic leaders. They often seem distinct from the rest of society because of their seemingly unorthodox way of life.

The term “cult” reminds us of the Manson Family, Rajneeshpuram, the Branch Davidians, the Unification Church, Aum Shinrikyo and Heaven’s Gate. These groups were notorious for murder, assault, sexual abuse, and/or mass suicides. Perhaps the most infamous among them was the People’s Temple, led by Jim Jones, in which more than 900 members took their own lives in November 1978. The Jonestown Massacre gave the term “drinking the Kool-Aid” a different meaning.

In 2017, a study in the Psychiatry Research Journal said that “cults can be seen as an organized group or a solitary person whose purpose is to dominate cult members by using psychological manipulation and pressure strategies.” There are many factors contributing to how a person gets recruited into a cult: “the vulnerability of the subject, group effects, the use of emotions, detachment from outside influences, progress in doctrinal teaching, promotions and the assignment of responsibilities.”

The cult leader charms the target by making them feel that they have something grand to receive exclusively (salvation, success, wealth, paradise, etc.). The unknowing subject succumbs to the bait and does everything to follow the leader. Cult members are being controlled and coerced into sacrificing relationships, time, money, labor, and even their bodies just to appease the leader.

Cult leaders, in varying degrees, brainwash followers into accepting a state of mind that is devoid of will and ability to make a choice. They use the Behavior, Information, Thought and Emotional Control (BITE) model of authoritarian control. With this, it is difficult to discern what’s right or wrong once you are made to believe that you cannot do it for yourself, making it more difficult to leave the cult.

Despite the reputation, some people choose to join. It’s hard to pinpoint why, as there are various reasons for joining. Dr. Janja Lalich, a sociologist and renowned cult expert, said that it is a social-psychological phenomenon that needs to be further studied and understood. She likened it to multilevel marketing ventures or self-help groups.

Rachel Berstein, a mental health professional and expert on cults, undue influence and authoritarian control, said that there are three possible major reasons for susceptibility: members desire a better self, want a greater sense of community, and are in a state of extreme vulnerability.

Here in the Philippines, cults are the current topic because of the Senate inquiry on Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI).

Mamerto Galanida, SBSI’s vice president, claims that SBSI is not a cult but a “people’s organization with a noble purpose.” This SEC-registered, Surigao del Norte-based organization’s mission is “to cultivate a community with a sense of bayanihan.” To achieve this, the group — with members numbering up to 5,000 — offered various services to the community, including carpentry, agricultural and funeral services. They have applied for a permit “to conserve and develop forest land” from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This area is located in Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Sering, Socorro.

Currently, this group is led by Jey Rence Quilario, also known as Senior Agila, who claims to be the reincarnated son of God. According to Sen. Risa Hontiveros, under Quilario, SBSI has been involved in arranging child marriages, engaging in kidnapping, trafficking of persons, forced labor and sexual abuse.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development recorded 22 child marriages in the community — with some of these minors already bearing children of their own. Senator Hontiveros also said that SBSI forced their members to surrender a large part of whatever aid from the government to be allocated for Quilario.

Another example of a cult was reported in 2022. This is the Philippine Benevolent Christian Missionaries Association (PBCM) in Misamis Oriental. Their leader, Cresanto Ercilla, allegedly instructed a family to burn their grandmother alive to “purge her of her sins.” The grandmother died hours later in the hospital after being rescued by neighbors.

What is known about this cult leader Ercilla, is that he originally wanted to become a policeman. This probably explains why he wants to be addressed as “General” by his followers.

Extremist cults flourish under the constitutional guarantee of “religious freedom.” Their existence is a basic human right. This same right is often being used as a cover for malign intent that runs counter to most religious beliefs. It is a particularly tricky issue to address, especially in terms of policy, due to possible allegations of religious intolerance and persecution that might be used against the government. It could alienate a segment of the population.

However, as citizens, we should be more vigilant, especially when atrocious crimes are being committed.

Dr. Steven Hassan, the author of “Combating Cult Mind Control” and an expert on undue influence, has shared some tips on how to avoid cults. Awareness helps address ignorance of cults, and that is the first step to prevent being a victim.

1. Recognize malignant charismatic narcissists who are often at the forefront of cult recruitment. Signs include lack of empathy, pathological lying, selfaggrandizement, etc.

2. Know your situational vulnerability. Life stages such as the death of a loved one, marital separation and moving to a new place could make one prone to undue influence.

3. Be aware of the belief system being promoted — especially if the principles vastly differ from the mainstream.

4. Sound the alarm if you are being encouraged to turn away from family and friends in order to stay in the community.

5. Mind what you post online. These days, some groups use technology to mine data about people and use it for manipulation.