Senior Agila, other ‘cult’ leaders indicted before Surigao RTC

The Department of Justice announced yesterday the indictment of several officials of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated, including its leader Jey Rence Quilario, alias "Senior Agila," for various criminal offenses before the Regional Trial Court of Dapa, Surigao del Norte, for allegedly operating as a cult in Socorro town and victimizing minors.

"We expect the court to issue warrants [of arrest] soon," Remulla said Monday.

The DOJ chief said 21 cases for qualified trafficking in person, facilitation of child marriages and solemnization of child marriages and child abuse were filed against the respondents on Monday.

Also indicted aside from Quilario are 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.

Quilario, Galanida, Ajoc and Sanico have been detained at the Senate after they were cited in contempt for evading questions during the Senate hearing on the issue last September.

"This is just the beginning since there are still many angles being looked at… [The accused are] all from Sitio Kapihan, Socorro, Surigao del Norte, including Senior Agila and many others," the DOJ secretary said.

He noted that the filing of the cases before the local court is a temporary one since the prosecution will move for its transfer to Metro Manila or other venues for security reasons.

"We believe it should be transferred to Manila or other venues where the interest of justice will not be affected by people who might interfere with the process," he said.

Earlier, the DOJ said the preliminary investigation on the complaints against Quilario and other SBSI officials had encountered delays due to the multiple inhibitions of local prosecutors.

The National Bureau of Investigation is still pursuing its investigation on the case, Remulla said.

Last month, the NBI asked the DOJ to issue precautionary hold departure orders against Quilario and several officials of SBSI.

The charges against SBSI stemmed from the privilege speech made by Senator Risa Hontiveros detailing the alleged sexual abuses committed by its officers against some of its members, particularly minors.

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