A female relative of a political prisoner in Metro Manila was made to undergo a strip search during a jail visit without proper observance of rules. The Commission on Human Rights said it will investigate into the allegation.
The complaint made by a daughter who visited her political detainee father at Metro Manila District Jail Annex 4 in Bicutan City a week ago prompted “grave concern,” according to the CHR.
The daughter claimed that she was led to a room without doors or curtains for privacy and instructed to lift her top so the jail guard could check it for contrabands.
She said she was neither informed of her rights nor was asked to sign a waiver prior to the strip search.
“The victim adds up that her husband was not allowed to enter the premises” the CHR said. “These compounding circumstances resulted in feelings of shame and degradation,”
According to the CHR, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s (BJMP) operations manual provides that visitors should sign a waiver for the search they will undergo. Also, whenever possible, the person to be searched shall act as witness to the procedures conducted.
“CHR shall look into these allegations to ensure that searches are conducted in a manner intended for its purpose, but with utmost respect to individual dignity and privacy,” the commission said.
