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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOJ files in court criminal charges vs 'leader,' members of 'religious cult' in Surigao del Norte

DOJ files in court criminal charges vs 'leader,' members of 'religious cult' in Surigao del Norte

Published Nov 6, 2023 10:33 am

The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed on Monday, Nov. 6, criminal charges before the regional trial court in Surigao del Norte against the alleged leader and 12 members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI), an alleged religious cult.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said the DOJ "expects the court to issue arrest warrants."

Charged were alleged leader Jey Rence B. Quilario, alias "Senior Aguila," Mamerto Galanida, Karren Sanico, Janeth Ajoc, Wenefredo Buntad, Giovanni Leogin Lasala, Ibrahim Adlao, Jovelito Atchecoso, Sergio Cubillan, Daryl Buntad, Jonry Elandag, Yure Gary Portillo, and Florencio Quiban.

They were charged with qualified trafficking in persons, facilitation of child marriages, solemnization of child marriages, and child abuse in cases docketed as Criminal Case No. 23-198 to 23-205.

Only the first page of the filed complaint showing the nature of the cases, the docket numbers, and the names of the accuses was made available as of posting.

During a press briefing, Remulla said: “Meron na tayong 21 cases filed already (We have 21 cases filed already)."

But Remulla said that the prosecutors handling the cases will  eventually seek their transfer to another venue outside of Surigao del Norte.

“We believe that the cases should be tried here in Manila or in another venue where the interest of justice will not be affected by people who may want to interfere in the process,” he explained.

He said that investigations on the activities of SBSI will continue.

“It's just the beginning kasi marami pa tong angles na mafill dito (This is just the beginning because there are many angles that can be filled),” he pointed out.

He said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will soon be submitting another report on the ongoing investigation.

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

But Remulla ordered the transfer of the conduct of the preliminary investigation at the DOJ main offices in Manila.

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