Senate panel cites leader of Soccoro ‘cult', three members in contempt

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate panel has cited in contempt the figurehead of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) and three of its members for refusing to own up to allegations from four witnesses that they ordered child marriages in their island community at Sitio Kapihan in Socorro town.

Four witnesses, including a 15-year-old girl who said she was married off and raped last year, all told senators during a joint hearing that SBSI leaders require girls 12 and older to wed adult men under the threat of "going to hell."

This allegation was repeatedly denied by SBSI leader Jey Rence Quilario and members Mamerto Galanida, Janeth Ajoc and Karren Sanico during the hearing.

Galanida, who was a three-term Socorro Mayor, said that there is “pre-marital engagement” among children in the group but dodged questions on whether there are child marriages happening on their turf.

Quilario, meanwhile, repeatedly issued curt answers, saying there were no child marriages. Ajoc and Sanico similarly denied the allegations.

This was after Sen. Risa Hontiveros flashed on screen an official document entitled “Family Planning Certificate” which allegedly shows proof that the group made a 15-year-old girl wed an adult man and facilitated her taking of birth control implants.

“One of the key questions raised by the committee is whether there is child marriage occurring, even providing family planning methods by implanting contraceptives. So, are you still denying that child marriage exists? Is child marriage indeed happening?” Hontiveros said in Filipino.

After hearing the denials of the four key figures of the alleged Socorro cult, Hontiveros moved to cite them in contempt, which was seconded by Sen. Bato Dela Rosa. This means that the