Progressive lawmakers called for a joint congressional investigation into alleged “systemic” human rights violations and abusive practices of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), including the retaliatory “permanent ban” imposed on human rights advocate Fides Lim.
House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Louise Co filed House Resolution No. 116 directing the House Committees on Human Rights and Justice to probe BuCor’s “pattern of abuse, denial of basic necessities, arbitrary restrictions, and violations of due process rights” in its jail facilities such as the New Bilibid Prison and the Correctional Institution for Women.
“The (BuCor) has repeatedly violated the basic human rights of persons deprived of liberty, particularly political prisoners who are already marginalized within the penal system,” Tinio stated.
“These abuses must not be tolerated because it strips the humanity of persons deprived of liberty,” Tinio added.
The resolution also cited the “permanent ban” imposed on Fides Lim, spokesperson of KAPATID (Kapisanan para sa Pagpapalaya ng mga Bilanggong Pulitikal sa Pilipinas) and wife of detained political prisoner Vicente Ladlad, citing “vague” allegations of “arrogance” and “disruptive behavior.”
“This ban on Ms. Lim is clearly retaliatory in nature, targeting her legitimate humanitarian work and advocacy for the humane treatment of political prisoners,” Tinio emphasized.
“There is no reason to ban a person who is only helping families of political detainees,” he said.
The resolution cited other complaints, such as BuCor’s failure to provide adequate medical care for elderly and ill detainees, its use of degrading strip searches on women visitors, refusal to engage with human rights monitors, and the impounding of basic necessities such as water dispensers, rice cookers, and electric fans donated for the welfare of prisoners.
“BuCor has shown a disturbing pattern of discrimination, particularly evident in cases like placing convicted General Jovito Palparan in minimum security despite his grave offenses, while subjecting political prisoners to harsh conditions and denying them basic necessities,” Tinio noted.
The resolution also cites the preventable deaths of political prisoners Rommel Arquillo and Sonny Tambalque, and BuCor’s refusal to perform forensic autopsies despite Department of Justice mandates.
“The deaths of political prisoners should not be accepted as normal because of the lack medical care and accountability. Congress must exercise its oversight function to ensure that BuCor operates within the bounds of law and human dignity,” Tinio said.
The lawmakers emphasized that the investigation is particularly urgent given the upcoming budget deliberations for the Department of Justice and its attached agencies.
“We cannot in good conscience approve budgets for agencies that systematically violate human rights and target advocates who expose their abuses,” Tinio said, adding Congress should ensure respect of human rights and law among government institutions.
Makabayan said its resolution seeks to hold accountable those responsible for the violations, protect the rights of persons deprived of liberty, and ensure that BuCor operations conform with principles of transparency, legality, and human dignity as mandated by national and international standards, including the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
BuCor has yet to reply to Kodao’s request for a statement.
Lim meanwhile said: Thank you to the Makabayan bloc—ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co for House Resolution No. 116. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
