Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) sought the issuance of a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against the leader and members of an alleged religious cult in Surigao del Norte on charges filed against them before the Department of Justice (DoJ).
DoJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said on Tuesday the NBI made its request on Monday before the panel of prosecutors assigned to conduct the preliminary investigation on the complaints filed against Jey Rence Quilario or “Senior Agila” and 12 members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI) identified as Mamerto Galanida; Karren J. Sanico Jr.; Janeth T. Ajoc; Wenefredo S. Buntad; Giovanni Leogin C. Lasala; Ibrahim L. Adlao; Jovelito L. Atchecoso; Sergio A. Cubillan; Daryl R. Buntad; Jonry C. Elandag; Yure Gary Q. Portilio; and Florencio C. Quiban.
They were accused of “violation of Section 4 in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003; and kidnapping and serious illegal detention as defined and penalized under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); violation of RA 11596, an Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties in Violation Thereof; and violation RA 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse Exploitation and Discrimination.”
The complaints were filed last June before the Prosecutor’s Office of Surigao del Norte. But Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered them transferred to the DoJ for preliminary investigation for security reasons.
Clavano said the NBI “adopted the investigation initially conducted by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). A subsequent hearing is scheduled for October 20.”
A PHDO is issued by the court while a criminal complaint is undergoing preliminary investigation. Once a criminal case is filed against the accused, a subsequent hold departure order (HDO) will be issued.
— William B. Depasupil
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