SBSI leader 'Senior Agila' arrives at DOJ for 'clarificatory hearing' --- By JOAHNA LEI CASILAO, GMA Integrated News

Jey Rence Quilario or “Senior Agila,” the leader of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc., on Monday arrived at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to attend a “clarificatory hearing” on the allegations of child abuse against him. In a phone patch with the media, Justice Undersecretary Mico Clavano said the preliminary probe on the complaint has yet to be scheduled. “Hindi pa ini-ieschedule. Ang process kasi diyan, kailangan muna nila i-clarify yung ibang issues. They have to get certain facts straight para maayos yung PI,” Clavano said. [They haven’t scheduled it yet. The process is they need to clarify some issues. They have to get certain facts straight to fix the PI.] “So ngayon mag sa-submit pa sila ng ibang— or mag sa-suggest pa yung panel of prosecutors kung ano pa yung pwedeng ibigay na documents,” he added. [Now, they will submit or suggest to the panel of prosecutors what other documents they can give.] This stemmed from the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation for trafficking, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, child marriage, and child abuse and exploitation. At present, Quilario and the other respondents are waiting at a van within the premises of the DOJ for their turn to attend the hearing. Quilaro and his companions were temporarily released from Senate custody to attend the probe. They were earlier cited in contempt by the Senate on September 28 after repeatedly denying that child marriages took place at Sitio Kapihan, Surigao del Norte despite testimonies from victims. The Senate panel was looking into the alleged operation of a shabu laboratory, alleged systematic rape, sexual abuse, trafficking, forced labor, and child marriage involving the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. Meanwhile, the witnesses have entered the DOJ for the hearing The victims, three minors who escaped from the SBSI, have shared their experiences at Sitio Kapihan, including being forced into marriage and trained as soldiers during a recent Senate hearing. This coming Saturday, a joint Senate committee will conduct an ocular at Sitio Kapihan to “produce a very credible committee report.” — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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