Remulla maintains probe on Socorro Bayanihan allegations will be at DOJ

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday maintained that the preliminary investigation against members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) for trafficking and abuse of minors, among others, would be held at the Department of Justice in Manila.

“The process is we conduct a PI here; we call everybody here. If they don’t want to come, it’s their problem, not my problem,” Remulla said in a media briefing.

When asked about the SBSI’s alleged lack of funds, Remulla reiterated, “That’s their problem.”

“‘Yung mga victims pwede naming gastusan [we can pay for the victims],” he said.

The Justice Secretary said the victims are expected to arrive on September 27, Thursday to attend a Senate inquiry on the allegations against SBSI.

The issue first came to light after Senator Risa Hontiveros last week said that more than 1,000 minors were being sexually abused by a religious “cult” in Socorro town, Surigao del Norte.

Shortly after, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed that the National Bureau of Investigation in the CARAGA region filed complaints against more than 10 individuals for trafficking, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, child marriage, and child abuse as early as June.

In response to the allegations, the SBSI said they were willing to face any investigation but hoped that it would be “fair.”

Over the weekend, SBSI leader Jey Rence Quilario, also known as “Senior Agila,” proposed that the Senate inquiry be held at Sitio Kapihan in Surigao del Norte's Socorro town.

Meanwhile, Remulla said the DOJ would also look into the habeas corpus decisions that returned two of the complainants to their families.

“I’m trying to have the counsels here, the lawyers study the habeas corpus decisions if they are in accordance with law, if there is anything irregular with the habeas corpus decisions. We will appeal it, if necessary,” he said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News