By Dang Samson Garcia
SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Saturday confirmed the Department of Social Welfare and Development recorded no less than 22 child marriages in Sitio Kapihan, where the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. or so-called Socorro ‘cult’ was based.
Hontiveros further said more irregularities were observed in Sitio Kapihan after her staff, together with the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, led an ocular inspection in the area.
She disclosed the child marriages inside Sitio Kapihan unfortunately led to young girls getting pregnant.
Hontiveros stressed a full investigation on the condition of the children born out of child marriages is forthcoming.
The senator also mentioned the absence of lists and record-keeping in SBSI regarding those who died inside Sitio Kapihan, including the location of where they were buried as well as their cause of death.
Hontiveros also pointed out the huge possibility of identity theft in relation to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program due to the lack of basic official documents of those who are residing inside Sitio Kapihan.
“Sa susunod na hearing namin sa Senado, dapat ipaliwanag nila Senyor Agila at ng liderato ng SBSI ang mga lumalabas na iregularidad na ito sa loob ng Sitio Kapihan,” Hontiveros stressed.
The lawmaker is also urging the Department of Education, along with DSWD, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Housing Settlements and Urban Development along with other government agencies to assist in the integration of the SBSI members back to mainstream society.
“Mula sa pabahay, sa hanapbuhay, hanggang sa edukasyon ng mga kabataang natigil sa pag-aaral, sana ay maihatid natin ang tulong na kailangan ng mga kababayan natin sa Sitio Kapihan,” she added.
