Palace backs BuCor move to cancel privileges of inmates

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Thursday backed the move of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to cancel the privileges of inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and its six other operating units nationwide due to the entry of prohibited items inside the penitentiaries.

“Temporary lang naman e. Siguro that’s a measure undertaken by the authorities to prevent the proliferation of the illegal drugs,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“If it’s a privilege, you can lift that privilege. It’s not a right,” he added.

BuCor chief Director General Nicanor Faeldon earlier ordered the revocation of privileges of the inmates after the Philippine National Police (PNP) discovered that a Bilibid inmate is running a drug operation in Cebu via the Internet.

READ: BuCor chief Faeldon cancels privileges of inmates

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), however, frowned at the BuCor’s move, noting that the government should instead focus on improving jail management.

“The goal then of prisons should be to reform persons deprived of liberty, to uphold human dignity while being accountable for their faults, rather than being key in imposing policies that advocate for cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,” the Commission said in a statement. /jpv

READ: CHR to gov’t: Improve jail management instead of canceling inmates’ privileges