Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Boying Remulla assured the public that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will never tolerate erring prison guards at the National Penitentiary who are to be proven guilty of abusing their authority to conduct physical searches on visiting relatives/friends of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

Secretary Remulla ordered an immediate investigation into the reports and review possible sanctions to be imposed on offending prison officers/personnel.

The DOJ would like to reiterate to the Filipino people that our agency is strictly compliant with international standards/policies on the proper conduct of body searches, specifically, pertinent rules under the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) which generally underscore that searches should be conducted in a manner that is respectful of the inherent dignity and privacy of the individual being searched.

In addition, proper decorum of prison personnel conducting physical searches are highlighted under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Operating Manual on how a proper search must be conducted, providing certain repercussions/penalties against those proven to be carrying illegal contrabands.

“Our Department remains fully committed to upholding the highest degree of respect for human rights in the conduct of our Corrections functions and guarantee that our agency will continue to innovate ways on how to improve our services to our PDLs and their loved ones,” the Secretary said.

“We do not condone degrading or inhuman or absurd treatment towards anyone because we want our prisons to be safe, secure and decent,”stressed Remulla.