Charges filed vs leader, members of Surigao ‘cult’

ABUSED KIDS | Child victims Alias ‘Jane,’ ‘ Renz’ and ‘Coco’ testify during the Senate inquiry on Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. based in Socorro, Surigao del Norte, on its alleged cult activities and abuse of minors. (Photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Criminal charges have been filed against the leader and members of Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI), an alleged religious cult in Surigao del Norte, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said SBSI leader Jey Rence Quilario and members of the alleged cult have been charged with qualified trafficking in persons, facilitation of child marriage, solemnization of child marriage, and child abuse before a Surigao del Norte court.

“We have cases preliminary filed in Surigao … eventually we believe that the cases should be tried here in Manila or in another venue where the interest of justice will not be affected by people who may want to interfere in the process,” Remulla told a press briefing.

“They’re still at large, but cases have been filed and we expect the court to issue warrants,” he added.

Hold-departure order

The DOJ said it also requested the court to issue a precautionary hold-departure order to prevent the respondents from leaving the country.

Two Senate panels — the committees on public order and dangerous drugs and on women, family relations and gender equality — earlier launched an inquiry into the allegations made against the SBSI, an organization based at Sitio Kapihan, a mountain settlement in the island town of Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

The group, exposed as a “cult” by Sen. Risa Hontiveros in her privilege speech on Sept. 18, was accused of maintaining a private army, forcing marriages that condoned the rape of women, and taking the government cash aid meant for its impoverished members.