Inmates' kin decry inhumane treatment at Bilibid visits

Strip-search, limited visiting hours, collection of fees were among the difficulties that wives and other relatives of inmates have to go through just to catch a glimpse of their loved ones detained at the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

On Friday, they banded together to ask NBP Director General Gerald Bantag  to put a stop to what they call as "inhumane treatment."  

The wife of a Muslim inmate Andang Maang, Fides Lim of rights group Kapatid (Friends and Families of Political Prisoners) and Irma Balaba of the Promotion of Church People’s Response made the call two days after BuCor spokesperson Wena Fe Bucos denied that there is humanitarian crisis in the Bilibid amid the clearing operations buoyed by persistent reports of corruption among prison officials and inmates.

“Ang searching sa amin, kitang kita na kami ng SAF [Special Action Force]. Kitang kita ang kaluluwa namin, hubo’t hubad. Tutuwad ka pa, tatlong beses. Wala kaming dinadalang droga o kahit anong kontrabando. Uuwi ka na lang, kakapkapan ka pa. Makatao ba iyan?,” Maang, also a Muslim like her husband, said in a press conference held in the Commission on Human Rights where the wives sought help.

Maang also lamented that visiting hours have been too restrictive that they do not know if their husbands are sick or otherwise—a fear heightened with reports that seven inmates have died at the Bilibid’s Maximum Security Compound in the last four days due to unattended medical condition.

“Kaya kami nanawagan kay General Bantag, gusto namin makita ang mga asawa namin. Kung malakas ba sila, o nanghihina,” Maang added.

Maang said the clearing operations have dismantled lot of cells, known as kubol, which the inmates paid for Without these, she said existing cells would even be more congested.

“‘Yung kubol, P6,000 to P15,000 ang bayad roon. Bakit sinira? Saan na napunta ang bayad na ‘yun?,” Maang said.

“Pati pagkain, dapat limang kilo [lang ang dala]. Dati sampung kilo. Eh paano iyong walang dalaw na shinesharean namin ng pagkain? E ang pagkain [sa Bilibid] parang pagkain ng aso, sukang suka na [ang inmates]. Maawa naman si General Bantag,” Maang added.

Lim, whose husband National Democratic Front consultant Vicente Ladlad is detained in Camp Bagong Diwa due to pending illegal possession of firearms charges, echoed Maang’s call by citing United Nations’ Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners which include access to relatives, lawyers, doctors, spiritual advisers service provides and livable conditions with food, free access to water, sleeping quarters as well as adequate medical care.

“Jails are supposed to be reformative and corrective, not punitive and inhumane. The illegal activities in prison is of the own making of officials in the New Bilibid Prison,” Lim said.

“The majority of inmates who are poor are made to suffer while VIP inmates continue to enjoy privileges. The practice of collecting fees for water and electricity supply must also stop,” Lim added.

Balaba, for her part, said such maltreatment must not go unpunished.

“To deny the detainees their right to visitor as well as access to basic needs is  unacceptable," Balaba said.

“We cannot idly sit while many are dying from the harsh conditions inside the jail. We beg for mercy, we call for action. This maltreatment must stop,” Balaba added.

In a separate statement, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra the claims were exaggerated.  

Guevarra said Bantag verified from the Bilibid hospital doctors that supplies were available, such as dextrose and medicines.

However, he admitted there were restrictions for visitors but maintained they are aboveboard and will be lifted soon.

“What is true is that BuCor suspended privilege of visitation but for safety reasons since they are conducting demolitions. BuCor will soon lift the suspension and they are in fact preparing for the improved system to be used when they re-allow visitations,” Guevarra added.—LDF, GMA News