By Junex Doronio
IT’S TIME TO ENFORCE THE LAW passed in 2021 penalizing child marriage.
This was the firm stance of Senator Risa Hontiveros following the Senate’s ocular visit at the Sitio Kapihan in Socorro, Surigao Del Norte where infant bodies were discovered to have been buried in a mass grave.
“It is relatively a new law, ‘yung law prohibiting child marriage, pero masaya ako na dito sa iniimbestigahan naming kaso ng child marriage among other violations of children’s rights and people’s rights doon sa Socorro, Surigao Del Norte particularly sa Kapihan,” Hontiveros said.
Sitio Kapihan is reportedly a mountainside community run by the Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated (SBSI) headed by Jey Rence Quilario, also known as “Señor Agila”, who claims to be the “reincarnation of Sto. Niño.”
She explained that the ongoing Senate investigation into the SBSI leaders of the alleged cult in Socorro, Surigao Del Norte can be a test case to imprison those who violate the anti-child marriage law.
Hontiveros said the infant bodies could either be casualties in the performance of miracles by alleged cult leader Quilario, or even be the offsprings of girl brides forced into marriages.
“Apparently, unang pagkakataon na gagamitin itong batas na ito laban sa mga lider doon… May accountabilities and penalties both sa mag-officiate, mag-facilitate, mag-groom ng mga bata para sa child marriage,” she added.
It was learned that Republic Act 11596 prohibits the facilitation and solemnization of child marriage, as well as co-habitation of an adult with a child outside wedlock, imposing a jail term of prision mayor and a P40,000-P50,000 fine on those convicted of the crime. (ai/mnm)
