CHR probe on Bilibid strip searches starts

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has started its investigation into the conduct of strip searches on female visitors of inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa, according to the Bureau of Corrections.

BuCor said four special investigators of the CHR, armed with a mission order signed by Human Rights Protection Cluster Director IV Jasmin Navarro Regino, arrived at the national penitentiary on Monday.

The probe was initiated after wives of prisoners filed a complaint before the CHR, saying they were subjected to humiliating, degrading and traumatic strip searches on April 21.

The BuCor said it gave the CHR probers a simulation of the strip search to demonstrate how visitations are conducted in Bilibid.

The investigators were also given a tour of the NBP’s maximum security camp, including the conjugal facilities and the park for inmates’ visitors and their children.

“Just like everybody else, we want to ferret out the truth,” BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang said.

The CHR probers are Rommel Tinga, Special Investigators III Michele Tuliao and May Sylvette Rojas and SI II Ma. Milanie Arao, the BuCor said.

The CHR said it would subpoena the BuCor’s female personnel who were involved in the strip searches to submit their sworn statements.

Seven BuCor personnel have been relieved from their posts due to the incident: Corrections Officers 1 Karen Soriano, Kiera Iket, Odesa Etong, Ahmor Darasin, Guada Bello, Melowyne Tallongan and Angelique Domingo.

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

Catapang has suspended the strip searches for visitors of inmates in all prisons and penal farms pending the results of investigations.