MANILA – The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has defended the strip search policy on visitors of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). This is being implemented in all prison facilities across the country.
According to BuCor director general Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., they are strictly implementing it amid the increasing number of visitors caught sneaking in contrabands concealed in their private parts.
“We have to be strict, without fear or favor in the implementation of the strip search, otherwise we will negate our responsibility of protecting our PDLs. And if we exempt an individual, we might be accused of giving VIP treatment,” Catapang said.
A strip search policy is a practice of searching a person for weapons or other contrabands suspected of being hidden on their body or inside their clothing, by requiring the person to remove some or all clothing.
Catapang added that they decided to be strict with visitors following the report of acting NBP Superintendent Corrections Chief Insp. Roger Boncales that random and frisk searches have proven ineffective against the entry of contraband in prison facilities.
About 30 PDL visitors were caught from October 2023 to March 8 this year trying to sneak in suspected illegal drugs and tobacco hidden inside their private parts, or tucked or sewn in their underwear.
Catapang’s statement came after wives of political prisoners filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) claiming that they were subjected to degrading and traumatic “strip search” at the NBP during their last visit on April 21.
Meanwhile, Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered an investigation into the strip search policy to ensure that prison guards are not abusing their authority.
“Our Department remains fully committed to upholding the highest degree of respect for human rights in the conduct of our Corrections functions and guarantee that our agency will continue to innovate ways on how to improve our services to our PDLs and their loved ones,” Remulla said on Wednesday.
“We do not condone degrading or inhuman or absurd treatment towards anyone because we want our prisons to be safe, secure and decent,” he added. “I also ordered a review on the sanctions which may be imposed against erring officers.”/PN
