CHR visits tortured inmates at Laguna jail

MANILA, Philippines - A team from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday visited the Biñan City Jail in Laguna where detainees who were reportedly tortured by police officers have been transferred.

The detainees were previously held at a jail facility of the Laguna Provincial Intelligence Branch (PNP-PIB) district office, where a torture chamber was reportedly found.

 Ten police officers were sacked following the discovery of an alleged “wheel of torture,” which they reportedly used in abusing the detainees.

CHR Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales reportedly wanted to personally check the condition of the inmates at the Biñan City Jail, said Marc Titus Cebreros, chief of the CHR Information and Communication Division.

“She also wanted to ensure the PNP’s response to the CHR’s request that vital evidence in the torture charges against the respondent police officers are preserved, and that the complainants are protected from any threats or intimidation,” Cebreros said.

On Thursday, the CHR forged an agreement with security agencies to step up anti-torture monitoring activities. It appealed to the military to cooperate with them in monitoring jail facilities and compliance with the Anti-Torture Act.

Rosales earlier said military facilities should be checked for possible presence of torture chambers. She said CHR’s partner agencies could help inspect military camps and facilities in the country.