Four witnesses, including a 15-year-old girl who said she was married off and raped last year, all told senators during a joint hearing that SBSI leaders require girls 12 and older to wed adult men under the threat of 'going to hell.'
This photo shows Jey Rence Quilario attending a Senate hearing on the activities of Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc., which has recently been accused of commiting the abuse of and sexual exploitation of children, September 28, 2023.MANILA, Philippines — A Senate panel has cited in contempt the figurehead of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc.
Galanida, who was a three-term Socorro Mayor, said that there is “pre-marital engagement” among children in the group but dodged questions on whether there are child marriages happening on their turf. “One of the key questions raised by the committee is whether there is child marriage occurring, even providing family planning methods by implanting contraceptives. So, are you still denying that child marriage exists? Is child marriage indeed happening?” Hontiveros said in Filipino.
At the start of the seven-hour hearing, Hontiveros and Dela Rosa repeatedly warned the invited speakers that lying under oath would force the panel to cite them in contempt and detain them at the Senate.Children as young as 12 were married off to adults, repeatedly raped, kept from school, forced to train as soldiers and physically punished in a remote location by adults following orders from Quilario, who is the group’s self-styled messianic figure called “Senior Agila.
It is Quilario who selects the "partners" upon the recommendation of Sanico, Ajoc and another member, Mark said.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Senate panel cites ‘cult’ leaders in contempt over child marriage denialsAt least three children testify about how they were forced to marry and engage in sexual relations with their arranged partners during a joint hearing of two Senate committees
Read more »
Senate orders detention of 4 leaders of alleged Socorro cultThe Senate on Thursday ordered the detention of the president and three ranking members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc., an alleged religious cult accused of trafficking, kidnapping, practicing child marriage, and sexually abusing children beginning in 2019.
Read more »
Priests appeal for rescue of Surigao del Norte ‘cult’ victims, say many gave up everything'They sold their properties for a meager sum before they went up to their new settlement. They left their professional employment, and even their families,' say Catholic priests in Surigao del Norte
Read more »
Hontiveros accuses cult leaders of rape, forcing teens to swim in fecesSen. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday accused leaders of Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc., of rape, human trafficking and perpetrating child marriages.
Read more »
Alleged cult leader denies child abuse allegationsThe leader of an alleged Surigao del Norte-based cult denied that he sanctioned child marriages and stopped children from attending school.
Read more »