Socorro classes suspended, more cops sent as senators hear ‘cult abuses’

Classes were suspended and more police were deployed in Socorro, Surigao del Norte as Senate committees started on Thursday their inquiry into the alleged cult in the town.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's report on "24 Oras," the local government also canceled other activities to ensure the safety of the public even though no specific threat had been received.

"We are here to augment our existing provincial mobile force personnel na-deploy na dito last week," 2nd Provincial

Mobile Force Command commander Lt. Col. Vici Anthony Tababa said.

Socorro streets that usually had people during the day were almost empty as residents watched the proceedings on television.

“With the recent issues na nangyayari po ngayon, ine-ensure po natin ‘yung safety po ng ating mga learners dito sa ating munisipyo,” said Karim Jayson Sangco, an officer in charge in Socorro.

(With the recent issues, we want to ensure the students’ safety.)

“Mga bata pa sila eh. So hindi natin inaasahan kung ano mangyayari kung ano yung mangyayari sa hearing,” he added.

The Senate Committees on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, and Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality on Thursday started its hearing on the alleged abuses committed by the leaders of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc.

These included the alleged operation of a shabu laboratory in the province, alleged systematic rape, sexual abuse, trafficking, forced labor, and child marriage involving the group.

During the hearing, SBSI leader Jey Rence Quilario, or “Senior Agila” and three others were cited in contempt after repeatedly denying accusations that child marriages took place in their group despite testimonies by victims.  

Some of the SBSI members who tuned in to the investigation in Sitio Kapihan said they were saddened by the development.

“Nalulungkot po kami. Ang maano samin ay nalulungkot po kaming lahat dito sa Kapihan pero kakayanin namin,” SBSI Officer-in-charge Reason Lubapis said.

(We’re saddened by what happened but we’ll carry on.)

The mother of the two witnesses, meanwhile, became emotional after seeing her children make their statements.

“Uuwi ako sa bahay, hindi ko kaya marinig 'yung ginawa sa aking anak kasi masakit. Hindi ko kaya ma'am,” she said.

(I will go home now. I cannot fathom hearing what they did to my children.) —NB, GMA Integrated News