CHR, BJMP probe alleged strip search of visitor at MMDJ facility

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology are now investigating an alleged strip search on a relative of a prisoner in Metro Manila District Jail Annex 4 at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan City.

In a statement Thursday, the CHR said, through its Public Assistance and Complaints Desk, it received a complaint that visitors were being subjected to a strip search.

The victim told the CHR that on January 8, when she was visiting his father, she was directed to a room without doors or even curtains and asked to lift her top so the jail custodian may search her upper undergarment for contrabands.

Also, the food items the visitors brought in transparent containers were spliced open and poked with used sticks, according to the CHR.

The CHR said the victim was neither informed of her rights nor was she asked to sign a waiver prior to the search.

Her husband was not allowed to enter the premises, which, the CHR said, led to “feelings of shame and degradation.”

“It is with these general international standards in mind that the CHR expresses grave concern regarding the alleged strip search of relatives of political prisoners in Metro Manila District Jail Annex 4 at Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan City,” the CHR said.

It cited the Rules 51 and 52(1) of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, or the Mandela Rules which states that security searches “shall not be used to harass, intimidate or unnecessarily intrude upon a prisoner’s privacy” and that “intrusive searches shall be conducted in private and by trained staff of the same sex as the prisoner.”

CHR pointed out that the incident also did not follow the Mandela Rules as well as the operations manual of the BJMP.

Due to this, the CHR said it would look into the allegations to ensure that the searches are conducted in a manner intended for its purpose and utmost respect to individual dignity and privacy.

Meanwhile, BJMP spokesperson Jail Chief Inspector Jayrex Bustinera told GMA News Online that the bureau is now investigating the incident.

“If any irregularities are found to have occurred during the search process at MMDJ-4, the BJMP will not hesitate to take appropriate action against those found to be responsible,” he said in a message.

“We are currently conducting an investigation into the matter and will take appropriate measures based on the findings,” he added.

Bustinera said the BJMP keeps its commitment to the safety and security of all those in its custody, as well as the rights and dignity of visitors in their facilities.

“We assure the public that we will always take immediate necessary steps to address issues in our jail facilities,” he added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News