Alleged Socorro cult ready to face any impartial investigation

The Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI), an organization accused of abusing minors in Surigao del Norte's Socorro town, said it was willing to face any impartial investigation and urged Senators to participate in the probe.

“Ang hiling ko lang is ‘yung fair naman, fair,” said the group leader, Jey Rence Quilario, also known as “Senior Aguila” in a “24 Oras Weekend” interview with Marisol Abdurahman.

(All I ask is that it be fair.)

Quilario was hurt by the allegations, adding that authorities had never arrived to carry out an investigation.

“Wala naman. Wala naman talagang nangyari dito. Meron naman mga parents dito,” he added.

In a statement, the Department of Justice alleged that the group had violated the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

The DOJ noted that the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act was being violated since February 2019.

“Several minors have come forward with their traumatic experiences. Their narratives include being subjected to forced military exercises, labor-intensive tasks, witnessing involuntary child marriages, and facing significant challenges when attempting to leave Sitio Kapihan,” said the Justice Department.

The DOJ added that some trainers were former personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“On June 1, 2023, cases for qualified trafficking, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention, violation of the child marriage law, and violation of the child abuse law, were filed before the office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Surigao del Norte,” the DOJ added.

According to the 24 Oras Weekend report, several parents and children were emotional when facing the media.

“Napakasakit po kasi sa side namin, ‘yung binabato nila na ganito, may child trafficking,” said a female member.

A minor who was a member of the community but was in the custody of the Social Welfare Department for a while claimed she was coached to speak against the SBSI.

“Tinuruan po nila kami like nung time po na nasa Dapa po kami nasa judge, sinabihan po nila ako na huwag sumama sa mama ko, at sinabihan nila na iiyak daw po ako para daw maniniwala sa akin yung judge. Napipilitan para sumaksi sa kaso,” she said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced Friday that the DOJ would now handle the preliminary investigation on the abuses allegedly committed by the SBSI.

GMA Integrated News is still trying to get a statement from Senator Risa Hontiveros, who filed Senate Resolution 797 calling for the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality to probe the alleged abuses.

Meanwhile, Socorro Mayor Riza Timcang said that the testimony given by the SBSI minors were not scripted.

She added that the minors approached the police and the kids were brought to the DSWD.

Timcang denied that they had bribed the kids, nor were their actions politically motivated.

She said that they had a duty to take action when they receive complaints. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News