The officers and members of the suspected "doomsday cult" Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. requested the Justice Department (DOJ) to conduct the preliminary investigation on the charges filed against them in Sitio Kapihan, Surigao del Norte.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla though categorically denied this request, stating, "That's a big no. That's not gonna happen." Remulla made this clear during a press conference at DOJ yesterday.
The DOJ chief justified the decision to move the preliminary investigation to the DOJ's main office in Manila by highlighting that complainants and witnesses were unable to speak freely in Sitio Kapihan.
Remulla said, "They want the Senate hearings to be held in their location and the DOJ to conduct the preliminary investigation there. Is the DOJ willing to do this? I don't think that's a good request."
While the SBSI had previously agreed to cooperate with the Senate's investigation into the allegations against them, they insisted that the legislative hearing take place in their location.
Remulla further explained the necessity of conducting the investigation in Manila: The reason we are stepping in and resuming the preliminary investigation in Manila is that the people there are unable to function properly due to threats and intimidation. That's why we are investigating in Manila. We can send people there but not investigate there.
The National Bureau of Investigation – Caraga Regional Office in Butuan City has recommended charging cult officers and members with qualified trafficking under Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), violation of RA 7610, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention after a thorough investigation.
The recommendation was forwarded to the Surigao del Norte Prosecutor's Office in June.
Named respondents are Jey Rence Quilaro, also known as "Senior Agila," Mamerto Galanida, and 11 other alleged cult officers and members.
But Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano revealed that the preliminary investigation encountered obstacles due to multiple motions for the inhibition of prosecutors.
The allegations against SBSI are deeply concerning and involve accusations of abuse and coercion of over 1,000 children since February 2019.