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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 13 members of Socorro Bayanihan Services in Surigao del Norte charged with sexual abuse of minors

13 members of Socorro Bayanihan Services in Surigao del Norte charged with sexual abuse of minors

Published Sep 19, 2023 11:17 am

Thirteen members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services in Surigao del Norte face a criminal complaint before the provincial prosecutor’s office for the alleged sexual abuse committed against minors, the Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

 “June 1 pa lang may sampung tao na recommended for prosecution (Ten persons have been recommended for prosecution since June 1)," DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla during a press briefing.

While the complaint has been filed since June 1, DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV lamented that “wala pa pong preliminary investigation because they have inhibited the prosecutors lagi (the preliminary investigation could not start because the respondents keep seeking the inhibition of whoever prosecutor was assigned to handle the complaint)."

The 13 respondents named in the complaint were Jey Rence B. Quilario who is also known as Senior Agila; 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.

With the constant plea for inhibition of prosecutors, Clavano said the DOJ will seek the transfer of the complaint to the National Prosecution Service's (NPS) main office in Manila for the conduct of the preliminary investigation.

 In her privilege speech last Sept. 18, Senator Risa Hontiveros accused the group of being a religious cult engaged in the sexual abuse of minors and illegal drugs trade.

“Now that it has reached the level of national importance it is ripe for the complaint to be transferred already,” Clavano said. 

Despite the pendency of the complaint, Remulla said he will order the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to continue with its probe.

 “Ito papaimbestigahan natin sa NBI. Titingnan natin lahat na dapat idemanda para sila ay managot sa batas (I will have this investigated by the NBI. We will look at who should be prosecuted and be held liable under the law),” Remulla said. 

Clavano said the complaint against the 13 persons who are members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services were reportedly committed from February 2019 up to 2023 in Sitio Kapihan, Barangay N. Sering, Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

 The complaint was filed jointly by the NBI, Socorro Mayor Riza Rafonselle T. Timcang, and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Chien Cen B. Dizon.

The respondents were accused of violations 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.

 

 

 

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DOJ National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
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