BJMP warden faces raps for allegedly violating rights of political prisoners

MANILA, Philippines—Criminal complaints have been filed with the Office of the Ombudsman against an official of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for violating the rights of political prisoners.

The complaint for violation of Republic Act 7438 known as An Act Defining Certain Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation  As Well As the Duties of the Arresting, Detaining and Investigating Officers, and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof was filed against Jail Senior Inspector Michelle Ng-Bonto, officer-in-charge warden of the Special Intensive Care Area 1 (SICA 1) in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

The complainants also filed an administrative charges against Ng-Bonto for gross misconduct, grave abuse of authority, gross oppression and for conduct unbecoming of a Public Officer.

Complainants are lawyers, doctors, political detainees and their relatives who, in separate affidavits, accused Ng-Bonto of refusal to allow family members and doctors to visit the political prisoners who were on hunger strike during the Papal visit last January. The political prisoners, in the course of the hunger strike/fasting, faced reprisals and curtailment of their rights.

Julieta Caloza, wife of political detainee Leopoldo Caloza, in her affidavit said she and her doctor were prohibited from seeing her husband even if they informed her that he was weak because of the hunger strike.

Political detainees went on hunger strike during the visit of Pope Francis last January.

On the other hand, Dr. Julie P. Caguiat of the Health Action for Human Rights (HAHR) said they have been helping political detainees in Camp Bagong Diwa as well as female inmates in the Taguig City Jail for years and their previous visits did not require clearance from the National BJMP.

Complainants added that Ng-Bonto is also pitting the political detainees against members of gangs such as Sputnik gang by saying that that suspension of visiting privileges detained at SICA -1 was due to the political detainees.

“Reportedly, the SICA-1 jail warden herself is instigating the Sputnik gang in threatening the lives and security of the political prisoners and inciting division among all the detainees by unjustly blaming the political prisoners’ fasting/hunger strike as the root of the sudden unfair restrictions on their rights,” the political prisoners said.

“Ng-Bonto did not only violate the rights of political prisoners at SICA-1-Camp Bagong Diwa but has also put their lives at risk. Warden Ng-Bonto and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology cannot simply disregard the law at their pleasure,” said Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Karapatan chairperson.

Other complainants include Secretary General Cristina Palabay, Bayan Chairperson Carol Araullo and former Gabriela Partylist Representative Liza Maza.

Ng-Bonto is also currently facing a complaint before Taguig RTC Branch 266 and 271. Through their manifestation, the political prisoners asked the Taguig courts to order Jail Warden Bonto to respect the rights of the political prisoners, especially the right to be visited by doctors and religious ministers of their choice, lawyers, relatives, and human rights organizations.

The political  prisoners also asked the court to enjoin Bonto from committing further violations of rights of the political prisoners, including transferring their custody without any court order, and for the court to ensure the safety and security of the political prisoners.

In a hearing conducted Wednesday, Prosecutor Maria Luz Antonette Toyco manifested in court that Ng-Bonto has not been communicating  and cooperating with her. The Fiscal is now asked to comment on the manifestation/motion filed by the political prisoners.