MPD justifies chains on detainees

MANILA, Philippines - The director of Manila Police District yesterday justified the use of chains in restraining four prisoners during their transfer from MPD to Manila City Jail—but sacked the police officers who chained them.

MPD director Rolando Nana cited a provision in Annex Q of the Philippine National Police Law that says prisoners or detainees being transported can be placed “in irons” when the police officer judges that the prisoner’s escape “cannot otherwise be prevented.” 

Nana also clarified that all of the detainees were men – Ignacio Reyes, Edwin Dalican and Justin Santiago were accused of trafficking girls to the pro-vinces, while Christopher Sy was accused of murder.

They were restrained with a long chain looped around their wrists with padlocks as they were being transferred from the MPD to the city jail.

Nana said there was nothing illegal about the action but he relieved Senior Police Officer 4 Roberto Quillope on Tuesday night “to give way to the ongoing probe.”

Nana also said there were only two jailers who could take the inmates from the MPD to the city jail at the time. They wanted to make sure “the inmates could neither escape nor grab the policemen’s guns,” he said.