 In the absence of Spanish Royal authorities the Jesuits formed a sort of Christian city-state, called "reductions" (Spanish "Reducciones", Portuguese "Reduções") in and around their 3-decade old Presidios both in Zamboanga and Basilan.These were societies set up according to an idealized theocratic model.The same type of communities were likewise established by the Jesuits throughout South America, but especially in present-day Brazil and Paraguay.