Seven prison personnel of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City have been relieved of their posts to face an investigation on their conduct of strip search on female visitors of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 8, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) identified those facing investigation as Corrections Officers 1 Karen Soriano, Kiera Iket, Odesa Etong, Ahmor Darasin, Guada Bello, Melowyne Tallongan, and Angelique Domingo.
Their relief from their posts was ordered by Acting NBP Superintendent Ruben R. Formosa.
BuCor said "the investigation on the seven correction officers will focus on how they conducted their strip search, whether they violated protocol on the conduct of strip search being implemented by the bureau.”
The probe was initiated as a result of the complaints filed by wives of PDLs that they underwent "degrading, humiliating, and traumatic" strip seach during their visit to the NBP's maximum-security compound last April 21.
BuCor said that “strip cavity searches” have been done on visitors of NBP's PDLs since 2018.
It said "the strip cavity search became mandatory” due to the rise in the number of visitors who were caught in their attempt to smuggle contraband like illegal drugs hidden in their private parts and underwear.
It added that “PDL visitors are given a waiver of right to frisk/pat, rub, strip and/or visual cavity search.”
"Those who do not voluntarily submit themselves to undergo the strip cavity search may avail of the BuCor’s E-Dalaw or online visitation," it also said.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the bureau needs to buy expensive body scanners so that strip searches will no longer be conducted on visitors.
“In the absence of body scanners, we have to do it manually,” he said.