DOJ eyes release of resolution on Socorro 'cult' case in mid-November
The Department of Justice (DOJ) might release the resolution of the complaints against the alleged religious cult Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) by middle of November.
Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty on Monday, October 9 disclosed this during the Senate Finance Committee panel's deliberation on the DOJ’s proposed budget for 2024.
Responding to a query made by Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, head of the Senate Committee on Public Services and Dangerous Drugs and who led the investigation, Ty said the agency is also considering filing a supplemental complaint against Jey Rence Quilario, known as “Senior Agila”, the alleged leader of the cult.
Respondents in the case would also be given time to answer the allegations hurled at them, Ty said.
“We know how important this is and we know the timeline that’s why hopefully, we can release a resolution by mid-November,” the DOJ official said, adding there are also new witnesses in the case.
Currently, the four alleged leaders of the SBSI are detained at the Senate after they were cited in contempt by Dela Rosa’s panel.