Task force shelters minors who fled Socorro Bayanihan group

MANILA — Children who are alleged to have been victims of Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc., an organization in Surigao del Norte that is under investigation for reports of forced marriage involving minors and other alleged abuses, will remain in government custody, Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said Sunday.

At a Senate hearing this week, former Socorro mayor Mamerto Galanida appealed to senators dela Rosa and Risa Hontiveros to allow two child witnesses in the group's defense.The move was aimed at countering the allegations hurled against SBSI by at least three minors who said they had been forced to marry at age 12, trained as a child soldier and made to perform hard labor.

Group leaders have maintained their innocence of allegations of child abuse, underage marriage and extortion.

Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Kasunduan ng DENR at Socorro Bayanihan, sinuspindeUmaalma ang ilang miyembro ng Socorro Bayanihan Services matapos suspendihin ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ang kasunduang nagbibigay pahintulot sa kanilang manirahan sa bundok ng Sitio Kapihan sa Socorro, Surigao del Norte.
Source: ABSCBNNews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

DENR suspends Socorro 'cult' use of protected area in Surigao del NorteSocorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated has been occupying a 353-hectare protected area provided by the government
Source: rapplerdotcom - 🏆 4. / 86 Read more »

Bato convinced Socorro a cult, Agila ‘figurehead’Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Friday said he is convinced that Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI) is a “cult”
Source: MlaStandard - 🏆 20. / 55 Read more »

DENR suspends land lease deal with Socorro groupThe Department of Environment and Natural Resources suspended on Friday a 2004 deal awarded to the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. in Surigao del Norte which grants certain rights and privileges to the group over state-owned land.
Source: CNN Philippines - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

DENR axes protected-area pact with SocorroThe Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday suspended the protected area management agreement with the Socorro Bayanihan Services
Source: MlaStandard - 🏆 20. / 55 Read more »

DENR suspends protected area accord with Socorro villageEnvironment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga yesterday ordered the suspension of the Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement of the controversial Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. in Sitio Kapihan in Socorro town, Surigao del Norte amid various allegations against the group, including child marriage in the hillside community.
Source: PhilstarNews - 🏆 1. / 94 Read more »