Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc invited to Senate hearing

Amid allegations that the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) was a Surigao del Norte cult that abused minors, condoned child marriages, and was involved in illegal drugs, representatives of the SBSI were invited to a Thursday Senate hearing on the matter.

But according to Marisol Abdurahman' Sunday 24 Oras Weekend report, amid all the allegations made against them, young and old members of the SBSI only asked one thing from authorities - a fair investigation.

The Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Director himself, Police Colonel Laudemer Laude, arrived at the SBSI's Sitio Kapihan to hand the Senate's invitation for the Thursday hearing.

"Para ma-assure ko rin na na-inform sila, at yung commitment nila na pupunta doon sa hearing," said Laude

(So I can assure the Senate that the SBSI was informed, and they  committed to attend the hearing.)

However, SBSI leader Jey Rence Quilario, also known as “Senior Agila,” believed it would be better if the hearing was held in Sitio Kapihan.

"Sana dito na lang gawin ang Senate inquiry o investigation dahil andito naman ang issue, dito sa amin sa Kapihan," said Senior Agila.

"Para sila mismo, isa-isa sa mga tao na magtanong. Yung mga tao mismo personal nilang maimbistiga dito."

GMA Integrated News had sought comment 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, but she had yet to respond as of posting time.

Meanwhile, authorities had 10 police officers who had gone AWOL and were staying in Kapihan sign documents as dismissal orders had been issued against them.

"Malapit ako sa pamilya ko, andito yung pamilya ko, mahirap po yung bumalik doon," said Giovallio Lazala, one of the policemen who had gone AWOL.

"Yung sa baba dati akong investigator. Alam ko kung ano ang paggawaan ng droga, alam ko kung ano ang droga. Kung ganyan pong may negatibo akong makikita, ako na mismo... yung mga maling gawain, kung may makita ako, ako na mismo ang bababa," Lazala added.

According to the Philippine National Police, the AWOL policemen had surrendered their service firearms and all of these weapons were accounted for.

Meanwhile, SBSI leaders met with Socorro Mayor Riza Timcang on Saturday night to resolve their disagreements.

"We will make some demands. Sabi nila, 'Sana wala na yung gate.' Walang problema! Kaya pag usapan natin," said SBSI Vice President Mamerto Galanida, recounting the meeting. "Yung mga kaso namin, iatras namin. Kasi both side may mga kaso naman."

"Sabi niya, wala na tayong magawa, andoon na sa Senado," added Galanida.

Timcang confirmed the meeting with the SBSI. However, she said that the SBSI's conditions were not minor matters. — DVM, GMA Integrated News