SOCORRO ‘CULT’ | Remulla says Socorro group faces legal challenges

October 5, 2023 , 09:41 PM

By Clarist Zablan

(October 5, 2023) – The justice secretary on Thursday said the government would look into all “legal possibilities” to pin down the cult-like activities of a group in an island town in Surigao del Norte.

Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said the interior department, justice department, environment department, social welfare department, and the national police would jointly investigate what appeared to be a cult in the town of Socorro.

“Tinitignan natin ‘yung mga implications ng lahat ng kilos na pwedeng gawin ng gobyerno kasi there are vested rights that we have to look at,” Remulla told reporters.

“We must distinguish between those who violated the law and those who didn’t. So we’re looking at all the legal possibilities para maging holistic ang approach. So there will be no sweeping conclusions made.”

Remulla said the government would act on the issues according to the “letter of the law.”

LOOK: Kasalukuyang nagsasagawa ng pulong ang DOJ kasama ang PNP, DILG, DENR, at DSWD tungkol sa mga isyung nakapalibot sa Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. | @News5PH @onenewsph pic.twitter.com/kz5qxJfhjK

— Justinne Punsalang (@thisjustinne) October 5, 2023

Last month, Senator Risa Hontiveros sounded the alarm during a Senate hearing on reports that Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated (SBSI) had allegedly subjected its child members to sexual violence, forced marriage, and abuse after transforming into a “cult” in 2017.

Officials of the organizations have denied the allegations against them.

Senators cited four leaders of the organization in contempt during a legislative inquiry on the issue in Surigao del Norte.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed complaints of kidnapping, qualified human trafficking, violation of anti-child marriage law, and violation of anti-child abuse law against the controversial group’s leaders, the justice department said.

Nine minors and at least four adults, all of whom are former members of the group, have been placed under the custody of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).

The Environment and Natural Resources Department has also suspended its Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA) with SBSI, which covered a conservation area in Socorro, citing a need to investigate alleged violations of the deal.

(MM | With reports from Camille Samonte and Justinne Punsalang, News5)

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