Catapang: NBP visitors signed waiver allowing strip search

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. yesterday expressed his confusion over a complaint filed by the wives of political prisoners regarding the strip cavity searches in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) despite having signed the waiver several times.

BuCor earlier said visitors of NBP inmates are asked to sign a waiver that would allow officers to frisk, pat, rub, strip or conduct a visual cavity search.

In a dzBB interview, Catapang said Gloria Almonte, who was one of those who filed the complaint, signed the waiver form several times.

“I’m wondering. They signed the waiver 14 times. Why is this only being raised now?” Catapang said.

“She has 14 waivers. That means she is willing to be inspected,” he added.

However, human rights group Kapatid, which assisted the political prisoners’ wives in filing a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights, pointed out that it was only during the most recent visit on April 21 that the wives were “asked to strip,” according to GMA News.

The bureau recently relieved seven jail guards following the complaint lodged by the prisoners’ wives against the strip cavity search they experienced at the NBP.

Catapang, however, justified the conduct of strip cavity searches to prevent the smuggling of contraband into the prison.

He said the bureau recently recorded 30 cases of visitors trying to sneak contraband into the prison.

He also pointed out that there is “complete privacy” during the conduct of strip cavity searches.

“When the woman is inspected, they are in one room. There really is complete privacy. No one is taking pictures. There are also no men allowed inside,” he added.

Also yesterday, the Department of Justice, which has supervision over the BuCor, said criminal and administrative charges may be filed against the seven NBP guards “if proven they went beyond their authority and functions” in conducting the strip searches.              ­