BJMP prevents homosexual officers from frisking inmates, visitors

MANILA, Philippines -  Officers of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) considered to be homosexuals will not be allowed to frisk inmates and visitors to prevent complaints of sexual harassment, BJMP director Rosendo Dial said yesterday.

Dial said the order is not intended to discriminate but only to protect the interest of the general public.                             

“The BJMP never looks at the person’s sexual preference whether he is a gay or lesbian. We know that like anyone, they do have their own rights. But our job as the law mandates us to do, dictates that we have to ensure safety in all our facilities. And while doing it, we want everything to be in order,” he said.

The Anti Sexual Harassment Act 1995 mandates employers and heads of educational institutions to deter the commission of sexual harassment and to provide the procedures for the resolution, settlement or prosecution of acts of sexual harassment.

“We do not want to offend anyone. Our policy aims to protect visitors and inmates against any forms of sexual harassment,” Dial said.

“We want to avoid any thought or inconvenience on the part of visitors or inmates that someone is probably taking advantage of them.”