MANILA, Philippines — Senators will conduct an ocular at Sitio Kapihan on October 14, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa confirmed on Friday.
Sitio Kapihan is an enclave in Surigao del Norte where the alleged Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) cult inhabits.
In a phone interview with Senate reporters, Dela Rosa said it is necessary to visit Sitio Kapihan and “personally see for [themselves]” the real situation in the area.
“We cannot just produce a very credible committee report without having actual real time grasp of the area. So puntahan talaga natin para malaman natin at kung kaya makausap ang mga tao na nandoon. Titingnan natin kung kaya nating gawin ‘yan na makausap sila. We will try,” he said.
(So we will go there to find out the facts and talk to the people there. We will see if we can do that and talk to them. We will try.)
Dela Rosa’s committee on public order and dangerous drugs conducted a grueling eight-hour hearing on SBSI’s reported cult-like activities on September 28.
Reports from former members and victims point out that the organization subjects minors to forced marriages, forced sex, and forced labor, among other rights violations.
Dela Rosa initially told reporters that the next hearing on SBSI’s activities would be held in Sitio Kapihan, but the lawmaker later retracted this.
Meanwhile, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Win Gatchalian have already confirmed their attendance for next week’s ocular, said Dela Rosa.
“Hindi ko pa naconfirm si Senator Robinhood Padilla, tsaka si Senator Francis Tolentino kung sasama sila. Pero malamang sasama ‘yun, gusto rin naman nila makita ‘yung area pero hindi ko pa nakita ang confirmation nila,” he added.
(I have yet to confirm if Senator Robinhood Padilla and Senator Francis Tolentino will join. They will probably come along because they also want to see the area, but I haven’t seen their confirmation yet.)
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