The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has submitted further evidence to support its complaint against members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) for offenses including trafficking and the abuse of minors. This update was confirmed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday.
This development occurred during a clarificatory hearing at the DOJ on Monday, attended by SBSI leader Jey Rence Quilario, known as “Senior Agila,” along with other respondents. Witnesses and victims were also present during the hearing.
The NBI also submitted a motion for a precautionary hold departure order against the 13 respondents involved in the complaint. The charges against them include trafficking, kidnapping, serious illegal detention, child marriage, and child abuse and exploitation.
The DOJ has scheduled the next hearing for 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.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has disclosed that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has taken over the investigation initially conducted by the Commission on Human Rights.
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NBI files hold departure order motion vs. Senior Agila
Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty stated that the DOJ aims to issue a resolution regarding the complaints by mid-November.
The matter came to public attention in September when Senator Risa Hontiveros reported that more than 1,000 minors were allegedly subjected to sexual abuse within a religious “cult” in Socorro town, Surigao del Norte. Shortly after this revelation, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed that the NBI in the CARAGA region had filed complaints against over 10 individuals.
In response to these allegations, a Senate panel conducted an inquiry, during which Quilario and three others were held in contempt. They had repeatedly denied the occurrence of child marriages at Sitio Kapihan, Surigao del Norte, despite testimonies from victims.
This upcoming Saturday, a joint Senate committee is planning to conduct an on-site visit to Sitio Kapihan to ensure the production of a credible committee report.
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