A police station has been put up in the center of Sitio Kapihan in Socorro, Surigao del Norte to ensure peace and order in the area, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos said.
Abalos also said the station aims to ensure the safety of members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) who have decided to leave the alleged cult which is reportedly being led by Jey Terence Quilario alias “Senior Agila.”
“The first thing we can give is peace and order because that was what the Secretary told me. They’re nervous to enter (Sitio Kapihan),” Abalos said, referring to Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
The DILG, DENR, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are in close coordination to ensure the safety and welfare of SBSI members who have opted to
leave, Abalos said.
Further responding to questions by Sen. Risa Hontiveros during the Senate hearing on the proposed DILG budget, Abalos said he was also informed that policemen were deployed at the main entrance and around the premises of the compound being occupied by SBSI.
Abalos told Hontiveros the deployment of policemen around the area was related to him by Philippine National Police Regional Director Kirby Kraft. Abalos said the PNP and other agencies are still discussing other ways to help the displaced cult members.
Hontiveros, along with Senator Ronald Dela, chairperson of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs committee led the Senate inquiry into the alleged illegal activities of the cult which included forced child marriages.
Hontiveros said cult members are mere victims of Quilario and other leaders of SBSI. The lawmaker said the Senate is looking at appropriate charges to be filed against SBSI leaders.
The PNP meanwhile said it is currently conducting an inventory of personnel following reports that PNP members have joined the alleged cult. The PNP said the supposed private armed groups were armed with wood sticks.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda said they have not yet discovered guns.
The DENR already served the suspension order for SBSI to vacate the land it is occupying in Sitio Kapihan.
The government earlier turned over the land to the group to be managed after the land was declared a protected area.