By CESAR JOLITO III
Human rights advocates and former political prisoners staged a protest in front of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) national headquarters yesterday to denounce what they described as “grave and persistent” human rights violations at the Negros Occidental District Jail – Male Dormitory (NODJ-MD).
The protesters, led by KARAPATAN, Human Rights Action Network (HRAN)-Negros, and the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA), called for an independent investigation into the alleged abuses and the removal of NODJ-MD Warden Jail Chief Inspector Crisyrel Awe, whom they accused of “serious misconduct, abuse of authority and neglect of duty.”
KARAPATAN Deputy Secretary General Maria Sol Taule said their group has formally written to BJMP chief, Jail Director Ruel Rivera and the Commission on Human Rights seeking an immediate fact-finding and administrative probe into the allegations.
“According to reports we received, NODJ personnel have been padlocking detainees without reason and depriving them of their basic rights such as food and visitation,” Taule said.
“We demand that all restrictions at NODJ be lifted and that all political prisoners in the Philippines be freed. They are not criminals — the real criminals are still walking free,” she added.
Taule said KARAPATAN is open to dialogue with the BJMP but has yet to receive a reply to their letter dated October 29.
Accusations of abuse, corruption
The HRAN-Negros reiterated its earlier call for the removal of Awe, who was reportedly relieved in August following a noise barrage by around 600 persons deprived of liberty but reinstated the following month.
In a statement read during the protest, HRAN accused Awe of enforcing “repressive policies,” including month-long punishments that allegedly deprived detainees of sunlight, exercise and family visits.
The statement also cited corruption in the jail commissary, denial of medical care for sick inmates, and inhumane body searches and body cavity inspections of women visitors.
“The families of PDLs will not relent in our advocacy for a humane, rights-based and rehabilitative prison system,” the statement concluded./CJ, WDJ