PNP to conduct nationwide jail inspection

MANILA, Philippines - With the recent discovery of the so-called "wheel of torture" inside a police camp in Laguna province, the Philippine National Police has ordered an inventory and inspection of all of its lock-up cells and custodial facilities nationwide.

PNP public information office head Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said the inspection and audit teams from the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management and the Human Rights Affairs Office were sent to account for all lock-up cells in regional, provincial, city or municipal police units to check on the condition of inmates and offenders in police custody.

He said that aside from the physical headcount and audit, the inspection teams will also review case records of detainees to determine the basis of their continued detention and verify if there are certain issues on custodial jurisdiction.

Sindac said that time and again, police personnel are reminded of their required commitment and responsibility.

"And isolated as it is, this particular incident in Laguna does not reflect a pervasive situation or a systematic practice among police units," the PNP official said.