BI holds special human rights training for BI officers handling detainees

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently conducted a specialized training on human rights for personnel of the BI’s Warden Facility to ensure that they handle detainees professionally and with respect for human dignity.

In a statement, the BI said its “Training for Human Rights in Detention: Standards, Laws, and Practice” was held at the BI Warden Facility inside the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) compound in Muntinlupa City on Nov. 13.

The specialized training on human rights in detention was attended by 40 personnel of the BI Warden Facility as part of initiatives to “strengthen adherence to international and national standards on humane treatment of persons under custody.”

Richard Palpal-latoc, chair of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and BI Human Resource and Development Division Chief Cris Villalobos attended the seminar.

The BI operates two Warden Facilities – its original detention center in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City and another facility in the BuCor compound in Muntinlupa City.

The two facilities currently house 567 detainees, who are foreigners who mostly committed violations of the country’s immigration law as well as fugitives.

BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado commended the BI personnel who attended the specialized training and underscored that the BI’s role extends beyond enforcing the country’s immigration law.

“Protecting human rights is central to our mandate as an institution of government. Through continuous training and cooperation with the CHR, we ensure that our personnel handle detainees with professionalism, compassion, and respect for human dignity,” said Viado.

BI Warden Facility chief Zottocles Bechayda said the specialized training highlighted the BI’s continuing efforts to ensure that BI officers are guided by human rights principles in managing detention facilities. — JMA, GMA Integrated News