NBI fortifies cases vs. Socorro with additional evidence—DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has submitted additional evidence to strengthen its complaint against members of the Surigao del Norte-based Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) for alleged trafficking and abuse of minors, among others.

Justice Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano also said the NBI has filed a motion for precautionary hold departure order against the 13 respondents cited for alleged for trafficking, kidnapping, serious illegal detention, forced child marriage, and child abuse and exploitation.

The NBI filed the motion during the a clarificatory hearing at the DOJ on Monday, attended by SBSI leader Jey Rence Quilario, alias “Senior Agila,” and other respondents. Some witnesses and victims of SBSI abuses were also present.

Clavano said the next hearing is on October 20.

“During this session, the panel anticipates the filing of supplemental counter-affidavits and presentations of opposition to the motion for a Precautionary Hold Departure Order,” it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the DOJ said the NBI adopted the investigation initially conducted by the Commission on Human Rights.

Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said the DOJ is eyeing to release the resolution of the complaints by mid-November.

The DOJ on Monday conducted a clarificatory hearing on the complaints filed against leaders and members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI), an alleged cult in Surigao del Norte.

“After the clarificatory hearing, they will already set the PI (preliminary investigation),” Clavano said, as he explained that the hearing was done to clarify certain issues concerning the complaints.

Clavano did not the issues subject of the hearing.

“They have to get certain facts straight para maayos yung PI,” he said.

The NBI filed the complaints last June before the Prosecutor’s Office in Surigao del Norte.

However, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered the transfer of the complaints to the DOJ main office in Manila for the conduct of the preliminary investigation due to threats in Surigao del Norte.

Thirteen respondents were named in the complaints including Quilario. The other