PNP: Detainees not allowed typewriters

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) justified yesterday the confiscation of two manual typewriters from three members of the National Democratic Front (NDF) detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

NDF consultants Alan Jazmines, Eduardo Sarmiento and Eduardo Serrano claimed custodial forces seized the typewriters last Feb. 23.

“The typewriters have metal components, and they are not allowed in a detention cell according to policy,” Superintendent Cesar Magsino, chief of the PNP Custodial Center, said.

Magsino said Soriano was allowed to use a typewriter in the custodial office and not in the detention cell. He said they will determine who gave Soriano permission to bring the typewriters inside the cell.

Magsino said the confiscation is not meant to stop the NDF members from communicating with their leaders and leftist groups.

“They can always use pen and paper. They are allowed to use those. They can even use pencils,” Magsino said.