The Department of Justice's (DOJ) panel of prosecutors has submitted for resolution -- whether to file in court or dismiss the charges -- the criminal complaints filed against the leader and members of Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI), an alleged religious cult in Surigao del Norte. 

DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said "the preliminary investigation was concluded and efforts are being made to resolve the case as expeditiously as possible."

Aside from alleged leader Jey Rence B. Quilario, also charged were 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.

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

The National Bureau of Investigation initially filed the complaints last June 1 before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Surigao del Norte.

However, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla ordered the transfer of the conduct of the preliminary investigation to the DOJ main office in Manila due to reported threats in Surigao del Norte.

“We remain committed to ensuring a fair and thorough investigation, respecting the rights and welfare of all parties involved,” Clavano said.

He said the panel of prosecutors assigned to conduct the preliminary investigation of the complaints submitted for resolution the case during a clarificatory hearing held at the DOJ's main office in Manila.

During the hearing, Clavano said “both parties involved in the ongoing investigation of SBSI appeared for the preliminary investigation.”

“The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), accompanied by the two alleged minor victims and one other minor, also attended the proceedings,” he said

“The respondents presented their Supplemental Counter-Affidavit, and some of their witnesses reaffirmed their previous statements,” he also said.  

Also during the hearing, Clavano said "the complainant filed a Manifestation, as instructed by the panel, to provide further evidence supporting their motion for PHDO (precautionary hold departure order) application” sought by the NBI.

While the motion for PHDO was opposed by those charged in the complaints, Clavano said: “After thorough arguments and counter-arguments presented by both parties, the motion for PHDO application was submitted for resolution."

Meanwhile, lawyer Hillary Olga M. Reserva, the legal counsel of the respondents, expressed hope that the panel would rule in favor of the 13 SBSI members named in the complaints.

“We are hoping that everything that we raised in the counter-affidavit will be taken into consideration with the filing of this case,” Reserva said.