Trafficking, child abuse, child marriage raps filed vs SBSI leader, 12 others

Prosecutors on Monday filed charges against Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) leader Jey Rence Quilario, also known as Senior Agila, and 12 others before a Surigao del Norte Regional Trial Court (RTC).

“Twenty-one cases filed already sa Surigao,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a media briefing.

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

Aside from Quilario, other respondents included SBSI members Mamerto Galanida, Karren Sanico, and Janeth Ajoc.

All four are currently under Senate custody as they were cited in contempt after repeatedly denying that child marriages took place at Sitio Kapihan, Surigao del Norte despite testimonies from victims.

The other suspects remained at large.

Asked about the basis of the cases, Remulla said it “speaks for itself.”

“Kung paano sila gumalaw na ang bata ay kanilang ginamit sa iba’t ibang pamamaraan, at kung paano nila trinaffick itong mga ito,” he said.

(How they moved, how they used and trafficked the children in different ways.)

Remulla, however, said this was just the beginning, as other matters also needed to be investigated.

He said they would also study the transfer of the cases to a court in Manila.

“We believe that the cases should be filed here in Manila or in another venue where the interest of justice will not be affected by people who may want to interfere in the process,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice also sought a preliminary hold departure order against the respondents.

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.

When 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 in a message to GMA News Online.— DVM/AOL, GMA Integrated News