Child Rights Network (CRN), the largest alliance of organizations pushing for children's rights legislation in the Philippines, has urged the government to hold into account the leaders of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI), an alleged cult in Surigao del Norte, for their reported crimes against children.
CRN said that SBSI has been accused of child rape, child marriage, child labor, and child sex trafficking. It also said the group has been preventing children and its members from from accessing education and health care, and reportedly forcing its members to surrender half of their social welfare benefits to the group's leader, Jay Rence Quilario or "Senior Agila."
Worse, CRN said that "Senior Agila" was accused of engaging in sexual activities with the group's members who are minors. This is why, it said, it is supporting the actions being spearheaded by the Senate against the group.
"We support the Senate probe launched by Senators Risa Hontiveros and Ronald dela Rosa, effectively providing this case with the national platform it rightfully deserves. We are appalled by the revelations exposed by Senator Hontiveros, detailing how the group allegedly subjected children to various unspeakable child rights violations," said Romeo Dongeto, CRN convenor and executive director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development’s (PLCPD).
"Each day that passes means children may continue to suffer rape, loss of freedom and education, and even forced marriages. Children deserve to enjoy their childhood. They belong in schools, not in the clutches of an alleged 'cult,'" Dongeto said.
Published reports stated that the group managed to lure its members by exploiting a 2019 earthquake, relocated to a remote mountain area. With the seclusion, reports stated that the group was able to carry out its illegal activities without watchful eyes.
Dongeto said that time is of the essence in dealing with the group, and a concerted government cooperation is needed to take them down. For now, he noted that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Senate have taken steps against the group.
The CRN said the group's leaders can be prosecuted for violations of Republic Act No. 11648, Raising the Age of Sexual Consent Law; RA No. 11596, Prohibition of Child Marriage Law; RA No. 9208, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act; RA No. 11862, Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act; and RA No. 7610, Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
"Time is not a luxury we have. Our Senators have made it abundantly clear: this group may be exploiting its members in the most heinous ways imaginable. We need immediate and decisive multi-agency action. One child is one too many. These children can't wait, and neither should we," Dongeto stressed.
"We do not want a situation where national attention will dwindle, and people forget that we are dealing with potential grave violations committed against children. This is a time to use the full range of legislation available because we have enough laws to cover all the alleged crimes committed by this group," he also said.