THE National Bureau of Investigation yesterday asked the Department of Justice to issue a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against the head of an alleged cult operating in Socorro, Surigao del Norte and several other officials of the group.
DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano said the PHDO being sought covers Jey Rence Quilario, the leader dubbed “Senior Agila” of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated (SBSI), Mamerto Galanida and other officials facing multiple charges, including sexual abuse of minors.
“The NBI has submitted additional evidence and filed a motion seeking a Precautionary Hold Departure Order against the respondents involved. The NBI has adopted the investigation initially conducted by the Commission on Human Rights,” Clavano told reporters.
He said state prosecutors have set another hearing on the case against Quilario and other SBSI officials on October 20 after last Monday’s clarificatory hearing at the DOJ.
“During this session, the panel of prosecutors anticipates the filing of supplemental counter-affidavits and presentations of opposition to the motion for a Precautionary Hold Departure Order,” Clavano added.
The allegations against SBSI were initially brought to light last month by Sen. Riza Hontiveros, who narrated the alleged abuses committed against the group’s members, particularly minors, including sexual abuse and forced marriages, since 2019.
Last June, the NBI recommended charging Quilario and several other SBSI officers and members with qualified trafficking under Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), violation of RA 7610 (Anti-Child Abuse Law), kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.
Aside from Quilario and Galanida, the other respondents are Karren Sanico Jr., Wenefredo Buntad, Giovanni Leogin Lasala, Ibrahim Adlao, Jovelito Atchecoso, Sergio Cubillan, Daryl Buntad, Jonry Elandag, Florencio Quiban, and Gary Portillo.
Earlier, Clavano said the filing of the cases against Quilario and other SBSI officials in the province encountered obstacles due to the multiple inhibitions of local prosecutors.
He said this is the reason why the DOJ has formed another panel of prosecutors to conduct a preliminary investigation in Manila.
