DOJ, BuCor lack transparency, cooperation with probe into inmates’ death —CHR

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has called out the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in its probe into the recent deaths of inmates in New Bilibid Prison (NBP), saying there has been a lack of transparency and cooperation from the agencies. 

In a statement on Saturday, the CHR said it sent a team to the DOJ to inquire about the list of deceased inmates, the COVID-19 situation, and the capacity of health facilities in the national penitentiary as early as June.

“Several correspondences were sent to the DOJ to request, among others, the list of PDLs confined at Site Harry and/or any other quarantine/isolation area and the list of deceased PDLs due to Covid-19,” it said.

“Despite the lapse of over 15 days since then, the Commission has yet to receive a response. We call out the BuCor and the DOJ  for their lack of transparency and non-cooperation,” it added.

The CHR noted that the commission also recently received complaints from families of the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) through its Metro Manila office.

“In light of reported deaths of PDLs while in prisons and detention facilities, CHR calls for transparency and openness from the government in reporting the situation of PDLs in the country,” it said.

According to CHR, the cases of COVID-19 in different detention facilities continue to be a cause for concern. It added that this may be an indication that protocols and initiatives must be improved.

“The urgent need to protect the remaining community against further infection must prevail over concerns of privacy of the deceased and their families at this time” it said.

“This is a mandate that should not be ignored, especially by BuCor, BJMP, as well as DOJ and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, for the sake of thousands of PDLs whose lives are at stake with the continuing risks of rampant infection.,” it added.

The CHR urged the government to respect its mandate and work with the commission on the issues concerning the inmates and personnel in detention facilities.

BuCor earlier reported that 21 inmates in the NBP have died due to COVID-19, after reports surfaced that high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian died and his remains have already been cremated.

Sebastian testified against detained Senator Leila de Lima at a congressional hearing in 2016 regarding the alleged illegal drug trade inside the national penitentiary.

Speculation has emerged that the high-profile prisoners' deaths were faked for a price, or that the inmates were being executed.

BuCor chief Gerald Bantag dismissed the allegations and claimed that the national penitentiary has been observing health protocols to avoid the spread of the virus. He also stressed that they did not neglect the sick inmates. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News