TWO senators have filed separate proposed resolutions seeking an inquiry into the alleged abuses of children and involvement in illegal drug activities of the leaders of an alleged cult in Socorro, Surigao del Norte.
Senate Resolution No. 796 was filed by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa last September 13 while Senate Resolution No. 797 was filed by Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros last September 18.
Hontiveros said she is urging the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality to conduct an investigation on the cases of rape, sexual abuse, forced labor, and child marriage perpetrated by a cult identified as Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. which she disclosed in a privilege speech delivered Monday.
Dela Rosa said his resolution urges the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drusg to investigate the reported presence and operation of a shabu laboratory and heavily armed private army at the lair of the cult in Barangay Sering, Socorro, Surigao del Norte.
The Committee on Women is chaired by Hontiveros, while the Committee on Public Order is under Dela Rosa.
The two resolutions were based on a letter from the incumbent mayor of Socorro town requesting an investigation into the irregularities of the supposed cult, which is led by one Jey Rence Quilario, also known as Senior Agila.
“There is a need, not only to investigate cult groups that affect the livelihood of innocent communities but also to look into possible legislative remedies to deter the possible injustice and danger that this may cause for the citizens of Socorro, Surigao del Norte,” Dela Rosa said in the resolution.
“The Senate must take seriously even the smallest allegation of the existence of private armies as well as that of a shabu lab, as these threaten the very foundation of public order on which our communities stand,” he added.
Hontiveros said an inquiry should be in place since it was reported to them that 1,587 children in the cult may fall prey to their leaders.
“According to direct and first-hand testimonies, Quilario would engage in acts of sexual abuse and violence against minors, including ordering children to sleep with him, facilitating child marriages of children as young as 12 years old with adults, locking adolescents in rooms in order for them to engage in sexual activities,” Hontiveros said in her resolution.
“A Senate investigation is needed to immediately address these urgent and alarming issues, rescue the children, effect the reintegration into society of the victims, and identify policy gaps in legislation that allow these cults to operate in plain view of the local government unit and other institutions,” she added.
10 NABBED
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said 10 persons have been charged before the local prosecutor’s office in connection with the expose of Hontiveros on a “cult” allegedly preying on minors in Socorro, Surigao del Norte.
Hontiveros, in a privileged speech last Monday, alleged that the cult has victimized more than 1,000 children since 2019.
Hontiveros identified the leader of the Socorro Bayanihan Services as Jey Rence Quilario, alias Senior Agila.
She said Quilario was recognized in the community as the “reincarnation” of the Senior Santo Nino and was later dubbed as Senior Agila based on this.
“There are around 10 persons recommended for prosecution in connection with this Socorro cult that are included in the expose of Sen. Hontiveros,” Remulla said, adding: “I think it has been filed before the court.”
A copy of the preliminary investigation made by the National Bureau of Investigation Caraga regional office dated June 1 to the provincial prosecutors office of Surigao del Norte recommended the prosecution of Quilario, Mamerto Galanida, Karren Sanico Jr., Wenefredo Buntad, Giovanni Leogin Lasala, Ibrahim Adlao, Jovelito Atchecoso, Sergio Cubillan, Daryl Buntad, Jonry Elandag, Florencio Quiban, and Gary Portillo.
Asked if they are already in government custody, Remulla said he is not sure but added the persons identified by the NBI are well-known to local authorities.
“As to the custody, I am not sure. They are the same people mentioned in news reports and in the privileged speech of Sen. Hontiveros,” Remulla said.
Remulla appealed to the public to report similar incidents in their localities, adding the issue of sex trafficking is not a new phenomenon in the country.
“The public should file complaints with the police, with the fiscal, with the authorities, so that we can put an end to this heinous crime against the youth,” he said. — With Ashzel Hachero
