Socorro 'cult' leader Quilario, others arrested

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday arrested Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) president Jey Rence Quilario alias Senior Agila and other members over alleged human trafficking.

According to a report by Super Radyo dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo, Quilario and the others were arrested outside the Senate building right after a hearing of the Committees on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and of Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

During the hearing, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who has described SBSI as a "cult," said a warrant of arrest has been issued against Quilario and the others. 

“I would like to advise the sergeant-at-arms to coordinate with the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation regarding their custody. You turn over the custody of these persons to the authorities,” Dela Rosa, chairman of the public order and dangerous drugs committee, said.

Aside from Quilario, the others ordered arrested were:

• Mamerto Digal Galanida
• Karren Juanite Sanico
• Janeth Tamayo Ajoc
• Wenefredo Sarong Buntad
• Giovanni Leogin Carduza Lasala
• Ibrahim Laugo Adlao
• Jovelito Libay Atchecoso.
• Sergio Angcog Cubillan
• Daryl Ruaya Buntad
• Jonry Caindoy Ilandag.
• Yure Gary Quiban Portillo
• Florencio Cosmiano Quiban

No bail was recommended for their temporary release.

Quilario, for his part, denied the accusations against the SBSI.

“Hindi po totoo ‘yun, wala pong inaabuso po,” he said in John Consulta’s exclusive report on “24 Oras”.

“Sana maniwala pa rin na wala akong kasalanan. Wala naman talaga po kaming kasalanan,” he said.

He also said there might be another reason for the allegations.

“Baka may interes [sa Socorro] kasi baka tayuan siguro ng tourist [spot],” Quilario added.

(They may be interested in Socorro and want to use it as a tourist spot.)

The suspects arrived at the NBI detention facility past 4 p.m. and underwent profiling and medical check-ups.

On Monday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that prosecutors have filed charges against Quilario and 12 others with a Surigao del Norte Regional Trial Court (RTC).

“Twenty-one cases filed already sa Surigao,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had said.

According to the DOJ, qualified trafficking in persons, facilitation of child marriage, solemnization of child marriage, and child abuse charges were filed with the Dapa RTC Branch 31.

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

Sought for comment, Atty. Hillary Olga Reserva, legal counsel of the respondents, said they have yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

“Regardless if there is, my clients will face the charges in court and will avail all the legal remedies they are afforded by [the] Constitution and the rules of court,” she said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News