NBI already filed complaints vs. members of ‘Socorro cult’ —DOJ

The National Bureau of Investigation in the CARAGA region has filed criminal complaints against members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services in connection with the alleged abuse of minors as early as June.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said more than 10 persons had been recommended for prosecution.

"Ito pa lang June 1 pa lang meron na ditong mahigit 10 tao na recommended for prosecution dito sa Socorro cult na kasama sa ibinunyag ni Senator Risa Hontiveros," Remulla said.

(As early as June 1, more than 10 persons have been recommended for prosecution in connection with the Socorro cult which Senator Risa Hontiveros exposed.)

Department of Justice spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano said NBI-Caraga as early as June 1 filed the following complaints against 13 individuals before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Surgao del Norte.

• Violation of Section 4, in relation to Section 6, otherwise known as qualified trafficking, under Republic Act 9208, otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act;
• Kidnapping and serious illegal detention as defined and legalized under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code;
• Violation of RA 11596, otherwise known as an act prohibiting the practice of child marriage and imposing penalties for violations thereof; and 
• Violation of RA 7610, otherwise known as the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Clavano said the crimes were committed since February 2019  at Silyo Kapihan Brgy. Seling, Socorro Surigao del Norte.

“So as per our information, wala pa pong preliminary investigation na nangyayari because pinapa inhibit yung mga prosecutors natin,” Clavano said during a media briefing.

[As per our information, there’s no preliminary investigation yet because our prosecutors are being asked to inhibit.]

“Ngayon tinitignan ho natin kung ano ang rason kung bakit sila pinapa inhibit at bakit nag iinhibit ang mga prosecutors,” he added.

[Now we are looking into the reason why they are being asked to inhibit and why they are inhibiting.]

An official of the Socorro Bayanihan Services said it was prepared to face investigations into the alleged sexual abuse of over a thousand children in Surigao del Norte's Socorro town.

SBS vice president Mamerto Galanida denied the allegations and said the group would wair for personnel from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to come and investigate.

“Handang-handa kami. In fact, we’re expecting the secretary of Secretary [Benhur] Abalos to come. Wala namang problema,” Galanida said on Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(We are ready. In fact, we're expecting the secretary of Secretary Benhur Abalos to come. There’s no problem with that.)

Hontiveros alleged in a privilege speech on Monday that a religious “cult” nestled in the mountainous portion of the municipality since 2019, had links to the illegal drug trade.

Minors and children as young as 15 years old were reportedly being raped and forced to marry the cult leader.

Galanida said the allegations were “unfair."

“Unfair kasi hindi pinakinggan ang panig namin. ‘Yung sinasabi na kulto, walang katotohanan ‘yan kasi we are avid members of IFI, Iglesia Filipina Independiente,” Galanida said.

(It's unfair because our side was not listened to. It’s not true that we’re a cult because we are avid members of Iglesia Filipina Independiente.)

“Our main purpose is first, for housing kasi mahirap dito ang magtayo ng bahay. Second is agriculture, and third is burial services. Kapag may namatay, mag-tulong tulong kami,” he added.

(Our main purpose is housing because it is difficult to build a house here. Second is agriculture, then third is burial services. When someone dies, we help one another.) —NB, GMA Integrated News