De Lima: Letting PDLs live in ‘decrepit, abusive’ conditions a ‘death sentence’

Senator Leila de Lima. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Leila De Lima on Monday said reforms in the country’s prison system should not entail treating inmates as less than humans.

De Lima made the remark after eight prisoners reportedly died inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) due to dehydration and lack of medical attention.

“To allow PDLs to live in decrepit and abusive prison conditions is a death sentence. Wala nga tayong parusang kamatayan pero sa hindi makataong pagtrato sa mga preso sa loob ng mga kulungan, para na rin silang sinentensyahang mamatay,” De Lima said in a statement.

“There is nothing restorative and rehabilitative about inmates dying because they were denied their basic needs such as clean water,” the senator added.

De Lima noted that there are inmates who are willing to change and could be reintegrated to the society, while others were wrongfully imprisoned.

Furthermore, De Lima said Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-General Gerald Bantag should also be held accountable for the consequences of the demolitions at the NBP.

De Lima said that the demolitions were carried out “without any contingencies for the provision of decent living conditions for the affected PDLs.”

Authorities earlier demolished illegal structures believed to be hiding places for criminal activity and contraband within the NBP Maximum Security Compound in Muntinlupa City.

Some of the inmates living in shanties, however, were reportedly forced to sleep outside.

“The reports I’m getting indicate that more PDLs continue to experience hardships and suffer deteriorating health amidst crowded conditions in the aftermath of the clearing operations,” she said.

The senator called on her fellow lawmakers to push for measures that promote reforms and restorative justice in the country’s prison system, adding that reshuffling of prison personnel and officials are “just band-aid solution.”

“We need reforms that will, first and foremost, restore the dignity of our PDLs and prepare them for their integration into their communities,” De Lima said.

BuCor spokesperson Major Wena Dalagan, however, earlier said that the problems in correctional facilities cannot be solved in a matter of days, especially as the bureau is still in its transition period following a change in its leadership.

“Please understand that we are in transition. Inabutan natin ang problema na ‘yan [so] inaayos natin,” Dalagan said in a text message to INQUIRER.net. /je