BI removes 1-hour cellphone privileges in detention centers after Vitaly vlog

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has removed the one-hour cellphone privileges previously granted to foreign nationals held at its detention centers following the videos taken by Russian vlogger Vitaly inside its facility.

“Napagdesisyunan po ni [BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado] na maghigpit lalo doon sa paggamit ng cellphone. Alisin na po 'yung pribilehiyo ng paggamit ng cellphone,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita on Wednesday.

(BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado has decided to tighten the restrictions on cellphone use. Remove the privilege of using cellphones.)

Instead of cellphones, Sandoval said access to landline phones and video calling booths will be provided to foreign nationals in the holding facilities.

“Ang gagamitin po nila to contact their family, low-tech na lang po. Landlines na lang po will be available for them to use para siguradong hindi nila gagamitin sa kung ano-ano. As well as magse-set up po ng mga video calling booths sa loob po ng facilities, sa open spaces para kitang-kita po kung anong ginagawa nila,” she added.

(They will use low-tech to contact their family. Only landlines will be available for them to use so they cannot use them for other things. We will also set up video calling booths inside the facilities, in open spaces, so we can see what they are doing.)

The adjustment was imposed after Vitaly used cellphone to record and upload vlog content while under BI custody. 

Sandoval clarified that BI detention centers are holding facilities, not jails. Detainees were previously allowed to use cellphones for up to one hour to contact family members, and embassies, she added.

BI personnel have resigned or been removed from post following the incident.—AOL, GMA Integrated News