Arrest warrant issued vs. Socorro Bayanihan leader Quilario, 12 others

A warrant of arrest has been issued against Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) president Jey Rence Quilario alias Senior Agila and 12 other officers over alleged human trafficking, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said on Tuesday.

During a Senate hearing, Dela Rosa, who is the chairperson of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said he received the warrant of arrest issued by a regional trial court in Dapa, Surigao del Norte.

“I would like to advise the sergeant-at-arms to coordinate with the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation regarding their custody. You turn over the custody of these persons to the authorities,” Dela Rosa said.

The following are the individuals ordered to be arrested:

• Jey Rence Buyser Quilario alias Senior Agila
• Mamerto Digal Galanida
• Karren Juanite Sanico
• Janeth Tamayo Ajoc
• Wenefredo Sarong Buntad
• Giovanni Leogin Carduza Lasala
• Ibrahim Laugo Adlao
• Jovelito Libay Atchecoso
• Sergio Angcog Cubillan
• Daryl Ruaya Buntad
• Jonry Caindoy Ilandag
• Yure Gary Quiban Portillo
• Florencio Cosmiano Quiban

No bail was recommended for the release of Quilario and the others.

Quilario faces complaints of eight counts of trafficking in person, according to a report by Nimfa Ravelo on Super Radyo dzBB.

On Monday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that prosecutors have filed charges against Quilario and 12 others with a Surigao del Norte Regional Trial Court (RTC).

“Twenty-one cases filed already sa Surigao,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had said.

According to the DOJ, qualified trafficking in persons, facilitation of child marriage, solemnization of child marriage, and child abuse charges were filed with the Dapa RTC Branch 31.

The issue first came to light after Senator Risa Hontiveros alleged in September that more than 1,000 minors were sexually abused by a religious “cult” in Socorro town, Surigao del Norte.

When sought for comment, Atty. Hillary Olga Reserva, legal counsel of the respondents, said they have yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

“Regardless if there is, my clients will face the charges in court and will avail all the legal remedies they are afforded by [the] Constitution and the rules of court,” she said. —KG/KBK, GMA Integrated News