A political detainee rights advocate revealed her continued ban from visiting the Correction Institute for Women (CIW) and the harassment she has been receiving from the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
Kapatid spokesperson Fides Lim wrote to justice secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday, July 8, complaining of “systemic obstacles and arbitrary punishment” imposed on her organization, as well as “politically-motivated and institutional harassment.”
“Most distressing is the public posting of my photo at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) with the label ‘BANNED’—a move that has caused me great personal anguish, placed my safety at risk, and violated fundamental rights,” Lim wrote.
Lim added that recent CIW visitors have informed her of CIW’s move despite not having received prior notice, explanation and opportunity for recourse.
“This blatant disregard for due process not only defames me but exposes me to serious harm, especially given the history of violence of BuCor. I am now compelled to formally protest this action and appeal for your urgent intervention,” Lim said.
Lim added that her ban was inexplicable as she visited a political detainee at CIW as well as deliver meals from stage actor Mae Paner’s Kawa Foundation as late as April 25.
But she said she was already banned when she returned on May 25 and the meals she was delivering to the detainee were refused despite repeated requests.
It was not the first time that Lim faced obstacles in delivering meals to political detainees.
READ: Bilibid officials refusing food delivery to PDLs
“It appears I am being targeted for persistently questioning practices that infringe on the right to food and other basic necessities. But since when has it become a punishable act to insist on delivering food to starving prisoners or to object to unjust procedures and policies?” Lim asked.
“The treatment I am receiving is not only baseless but also vindictive. The public posting of my photo, the ban, and the retaliatory investigations ordered by the Deputy Director General for Security and Operations Gil Torralba all point to political harassment,” she added.
Lim asked the DOJ to investigate the harassment she had been receiving from the BuCor, writing:
- Violation of the right to due process. The public posting of my photo—without notice, formal charges, or any hearing—violates Article III, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution and places me in danger.
- Violation of privacy and data protection. The public display of my image—without my knowledge, consent, and with a defamatory label—violates the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173), particularly Sections 11 and 16.
- Violation of dignity and non-discrimination. Publicly labeling someone engaged in humanitarian work as “BANNED” is a dehumanizing act, violating Article II, Section 11 of the Constitution.
- Suppression of freedom of expression and association. The work of our support group Kapatid is grounded in humanitarian concern and moral responsibility. Arbitrary banning and public shaming undermine our constitutional rights under Article III, Sections 4 and 8 of the Constitution.
In addition, Lim appealed:
- Order a full and impartial investigation into the posting of my photo and the bans imposed—addressing not only this incident but the broader pattern of arbitrary procedures and rights violations in BuCor affecting prisoners’ rights to food, dignity, and survival.
- Immediately remove my photo from public display and lift the ban, both of which lack lawful basis and violate constitutional protections.
- Hold BuCor officials accountable, particularly Col. Gil Torralba and other involved personnel, for misuse of authority and obstruction of humanitarian aid.
- Facilitate a dialogue with you, as requested, to be held in person, so these concerns can be addressed constructively and transparently.
“I am not a criminal, much less a trafficker of contraband. My sole purpose is to assist political prisoners, most of whom have no family nearby, and to help uphold their right to survive with dignity,” she said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
