BuCor assures pro-human rights, anti-torture policies in prison facilities
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has assured it will uphold human rights and prevent the torture of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in its prison facilities nationwide.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said his assurance was conveyed during a hearing last Wednesday, Nov. 15, conducted by the House of Representatives' Committee on Human Rights chaired by Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante Jr.
Catapang said he informed the committee members that "BuCor gives utmost importance to human rights as it is a fundamental principle that should be upheld by all individuals, communities and nations and respect for human rights should be upheld even to persons deprived of liberty.”
He said "Bucor is willing and open to give them (members of the House committee) access or unrestricted access to all its operating prison and penal farms nationwide for transparency and for them to see the plight of PDLs.”
“The more you know, the more you will be able to help us solve our problems at the Bucor,” Catapang said.
He explained that making legislators aware that “we have a problem particularly in overcrowding of PDLs is good enough because we knew that you will be able to help us.”
BuCor, in a statement, said that Congressman Abanta lauded Catapang for his effort of decongesting the national penitentiary.
The hearing was conducted pursuant to house resolutions seeking to discuss several proposed legislations, namely: the establishment of a national preventive mechanism against torture in the Philippines and the establishment of a national preventive mechanism (NPM) in compliance with the optional protocol to the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (OPCAT) and for other purposes.
Abante and Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez had filed separate resolutions on the establishment of NPM.