Court orders arrest of 13 officials, members of Surigao del Norte cult

BY Ashzel Hachero and Raymond Africa

A COURT in Surigao del Norte yesterday issued warrants of arrest against Jey Rence Quilario, alias “Senior Agila,” and 12 other officers and members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated (SBSI), the alleged cult operating in Socorro town, for qualified trafficking, facilitation of and solemnization of child marriages, and child abuse.

Last Monday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a press briefing that state prosecutors have filed 21 charges against Quilario and other SBSI officers before the Surigao del Norte Regional Trial Court.

Aside from Quilario, also ordered arrested by Branch 31 of the Dapa, Surigao del Norte RTC were Mamerto Digal Galanida, SBSI vice president; and SBSI officials Karren Sanico, Janeth Ajoc, Wenefredo Buntad, Giovanni Leogin Lasala, Ibrahim Adlao, Jovelito Atchecoso, Sergio Cubillan, Daryl Buntad, Jonry Elandag, Yure Gary Portillo, and Florencio Quiban.

The court recommended no bail for their temporary liberty.

The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs turned over the 13, who were physically present during a hearing yesterday, to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who chairs the panel, lifted the contempt order against Quilario, Galanida, Sanico, and Ajoc on the motion of Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros.

The four were ordered detained at the Senate building last September after they were cited in contempt for consistently denying that child marriages exist among SBSI members, contrary to the evidence presented by witnesses.

Dela Rosa ordered the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to initially take custody of the SBSI officials, who were later turned over to the NBI. The four ranking officials of the SBSI were handcuffed and then whisked away by the NBI.

In announcing the filing of the charges, Remulla expressed confidence the court would issue warrants of arrest against the respondents, considering the strength of the prosecution’s case.

DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty confirmed the court has issued a warrant against Quilario and 12 others.

“The judge issued the warrant just this morning,” Ty said, adding the