‘Cases vs Senior Agila still under trial’

MANILA, Philippines — The cases against Jey Rence Quilario, also known as Senior Agila, and other leaders of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) remain under trial, with the accused still in detention as the alleged offenses are non-bailable, the National Bureau of Investigation said.

NBI acting director Angelito Magno said one of those accused in the cases, Mamerto Galanida, died in July 2024 at age 81 after suffering multiple medical complications.

Galanida was the vice president of SBSI.

“The cases are still being heard. Those facing trial remain detained because the charges involve human trafficking, which are non-bailable,” Magno said in an interview over Bilyonaryo channel.

Quilario and three other SBSI leaders – Janeth Ajoc, Karen Sanico and Galanida – were arrested by the NBI inside the Senate in November 2023 after warrants of arrest were issued.

Nine other SBSI members were ordered arrested.

The 13 accused face nine counts of qualified trafficking in persons, eight counts of child abuse and four counts of violations related to child marriage.

Former SBSI members and alleged victims accused the group’s leaders of forced marriages, child labor, sexual abuse and coercive military-style training.

Quilario, Galanida, Ajoc and Sanico have denied the allegations.