At least 19 children, three of them boys, have been found "in common-law relationships' with adult partners in Socorro Bayanihan Service, Inc., an alleged religious cult in Surigao del Norte.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Oct. 12, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said: "Sila ay nabubuhay mag-asawa pero wala naman kasal (They have been living together as husband and wife but they are not married)." 

Remulla said that whatever marriages that took place at the SBSI cannot be considered legal. "Walang bisa ‘yun (It has no legal effect),” he said. 

He said the 19 children, whose ages were not disclosed, have become witnesses against the leader and members of SBSI "are safe and doing well."

“We expect more of them to be witnesses when summoned by the courts,” he also said.

In the meantime, Remulla said "our prosecutors are busy building up the cases so that we could be able to give the protection needed by the children.”

SBSI leader Jey Rence B. Quilario and 12 other members of the alleged cult are currently facing criminal complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) before the DOJ.

They were accused of violation of Section 4 in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003; and kidnapping and serious illegal detention as defined and penalized under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); violation of RA 11596, an Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties in Violation Thereof; and violation RA 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse Exploitation and Discrimination.

The 12 other 12 respondents named in the complaints are Mamerto Galanida; Karren J. Sanico Jr.; Janeth T. Ajoc; Wenefredo S. Buntad; Giovanni Leogin C. Lasala; Ibrahim L. Adlao; Jovelito L. Atchecoso; Sergio A. Cubillan; Daryl R. Buntad; Jonry C. Elandag; Yure Gary Q. Portilio; and Florencio C. Quiban.