Catapang baffled by complaint vs. NBP strip search, says wives visited before

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said Thursday he was puzzled by the complaint filed by wives of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and political prisoners regarding the strip searches they experienced at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), saying the complainants had visited numerous times before.

According to Catapang, complainant Gloria Almonte had previously signed 14 waivers, which he said showed that she was willing to be inspected.

Another complainant, Maricel, had signed 11 waivers, he said.

"Nagtataka ako, 14 times sila nagpirma ng waiver eh bakit ngayon lang po sila nag-aano? Eh seven times po sila nag-conjugal visit," Catapang told Super Radyo dzBB.

(I'm confused. They signed waivers 14 times already. Why are they raising concerns now? They did conjugal visits seven times.)

However, KAPATID spokesperson Fides Lim said that the wives filed the complaint as they were asked to strip for the first time during their recent visit. 

"Previously, the two were only frisked—patting of the body. They did not remove their clothing because they would immediately inform the searcher that their respective husbands were political prisoners,” Lim told GMA News Online.

“On April 21, when they questioned why they were suddenly being made to remove their clothes, the searcher said, ‘Utos sa itaas.’,” she added.

Lim said that Almonte is 63 years old.

"A senior; that’s why it really rankles with her," she said.

Catapang reiterated that 30 visitors were caught trying to smuggle contraband, such as suspected illegal drugs and tobacco.

When asked if the two complainant-wives were caught smuggling drugs, Catapang said no.

On Tuesday, the wives of PDLs and political prisoners filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) against the strip searches conducted at the NBP's Maximum Security Compound on April 21.

Almonte said she was "nearly in tears and trembling" and was asked to bend over while being subjected to inspection, while Maricel said she had to repeat the procedure at least 10 times as she supposedly wasn't doing it right.

The complaint prompted Catapang and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to order separate investigations. The CHR has started its own investigation into the complaint.

BuCor has also relieved seven correction officers amid the ongoing probe, a move welcomed by Remulla.

"The lightning[-quick] action of Director General Catapang on urgent matters like these perfectly displays his raging resolve as a public servant to enforce what is within the boundaries of our legal system," he said.

According to the Justice Department, criminal cases may also be filed against the personnel involved if it is proven that they went beyond their authority and functions.

Lim expressed concern over the development, stressing that the wives were told that the orders “came from above.”

“The lesser officers implicated in this distressing incident should not be held solely accountable as they were merely acting under orders. Ultimate responsibility and accountability lie with those in positions of authority who make the decisions,” Lim said.

She said it would be a “miscarriage of justice” if personnel in the lower rung were held solely responsible.

“Any comprehensive investigation must examine the chain of command as well as the directives and the mindset that have translated into policy measures allowing such a distressing breach of human dignity to occur,” she said.

She said only one personnel involved in the strip search was suspended, while another guard, who was directly named by the complainants, was not suspended.

Body scanner needed

Meanwhile, Catapang reiterated the agency's request for a body scanner.

He said that should visitors refuse to be inspected, he may implement a no-contact visit.

"Kung talagang ayaw magpakapkap, eh gagawin ko 'yung katulad nu'ng sa preso, 'yung may glass, no contact. Hindi sila talaga mag kakaano. Magkakabigayan ng ano man… Hindi po sila pwedeng mag conjugal visit kasi kadalasan po, nandoon po yung— pagka bago po magsama sa kwarto, doon po nag papasahan," he said.

(If they don’t want to be inspected, we will implement a no-contact visit. They will not be able to touch and give anything. They will no longer be allowed conjugal visits because that is where the exchange happens.) — VDV/VBL, GMA Integrated News