MANILA, Philippines — Detainee rights advocacy group Kapatid has urged Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) chief Gen. Ruel Rivera to hold a dialogue with families of political prisoners following a harassment complaint filed against a jail warden in Tacloban City.
Last week, Altermidya Network filed a complaint against Tacloban City Jail Female Dormitory (TCJFD) warden Jail Inspector Eva Naputo and Senior Jail Officer 1 Dalmacio C. Canayong Jr. for alleged harassment.
Naputo and Canayong have allegedly been “displaying abusive behavior toward persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) under their supervision,” Altermidya said, citing information from the families and support groups of detained activists Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequi.
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“In stark contrast to the Bureau of Corrections’ (BuCor) obstructionist stance—evident in its permanent ban on me—Kapatid welcomes BJMP head Gen. Rivera’s demonstrated openness to constructive engagement and thus respectfully urge him to dialogue with concerned stakeholders and immediately investigate these grave issues,” Kapatid spokesperson Fides Lim said in a statement issued on Saturday.
“This is not merely a question of administrative misconduct but of unchecked power. The government—and jail authorities as its agents—has both a legal and moral duty to ensure that no one, whether an inmate or a visiting family member, lawyer, diplomat, or human rights worker, is subjected to unjust, discriminatory, or inhumane treatment within detention facilities,” she added.
Kapatid also expressed concern over the alleged “neglect, discrimination, and abuses” against political prisoners Cumpio and Domequil, as well as other inmates supervised by Naputo and Canayong.
“These include persistent medical neglect, suppression of visits and communications, and a broader climate of hostility and disregard for PDL welfare,” she added.
In a letter dated July 14 addressed to the BJMP and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Altermidya cited “questionable actions” by Naputo and Canayong, including the “unjust delay and inaction on requests for medical check-ups,” particularly those filed by Cumpio and Domequi.
“Both PDLs continue to face unresolved medical concerns more than a month after submitting their requests. Warden Naputo allowed a so-called online medical consultation, but only assigned the jail nurse to talk to the doctor,” a copy of the letter signed by Altermidya Network National Chairperson Raymund Villanueva reads.
“Frenchie and Marielle were not even given the opportunity to have an ACTUAL consultation, whether through online or physical check-up, despite repeated subsequent requests. Violation of PDLs’ right to confer with their lawyers privately. Frenchie saw jail officials taking photos of written communication and documents handed to her by her visiting lawyers,” it adds.
Letters addressed to the two political prisoners were allegedly read and not handed to them, with Canayong “reportedly unilaterally ruling that letters beyond the usual greetings should not be delivered” to them.
Altermidya also said that the processing of consent forms for the trial monitoring of the two PDLs was delayed due to Naputo’s allegedly slow approval.
“While there is a seeming prejudice by Naputo and Canayong against Frenchie and Marielle, the repressive actions and arbitrary decisions also extend to other PDLs at the Tacloban City Jail,” it wrote.
Altermidya urged the BJMP and the CHR to investigate the allegations.
“If found true, we hope that just action is imposed on Naputo and Canayong, and that a pro-PDL management that listens and cares for the welfare of the detainees is installed,” it said./mcm