BI to recommend several detainees for bail to decongest facility amid COVID-19 crisis

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will recommend several detained foreigners for bail in an effort to ease congestion in its detention facility as the Philippines sees a rising number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The bureau has identified three pregnant women as high-risk detainees. Two of them have been released on bail and one is set for immediate deportation, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Friday.

Earlier this week, several Filipino detainees in crowded local jails who claim their age and medical conditions make them vulnerable to COVID-19 asked the Supreme Court to order their temporary release on humanitarian grounds.

The BI's Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig City, which houses 419 detainees, has been placed on lockdown. Visitors are temporarily barred from entering, Sandoval said.

She said authorities have advised detainees about frequent bathing and proper handwashing and sanitation.

Vehicles are disinfected upon entering the compound and personnel are sanitized in sanitation tents. The facility itself was cleaned and foot baths have been installed to disinfect shoes, she said.

Sandoval also said embassy representatives are in frequent dialogue with detainees from their countries for updates regarding COVID-19.

The warden is also coordinating with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Chinese embassy on possible donations of face masks, she said.

The bureau has set protocols of action in case a positive case is detected, she said. A medical officer is always on duty and the Philippine National Police has been tapped for added security.

Sandoval said Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has ordered the creation of a BI-COVID Task Force that would ensure that all employees and wards get the appropriate medical response.

The bureau has also set up a medical task group and is working on a 24/7 internal hotline on COVID-19-related concerns, she said.—AOL, GMA News