Facade of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), with the sign of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). (Image from the BuCor website)
MANILA, Philippines — An outraged Cotabato City Rep. Bai Dimple Mastura on Monday sought an inquiry by the House of Representatives of the alleged Bureau of Corrections’ (BuCor) “abominable” serving of pork to Muslim and 7th Day Adventist inmates at New Bilibid Prison and Correctional Institution for Women.
In a privilege speech, Mastura called on the lower chamber to hold liable persons who allowed the serving of pork to the inmates to be held liable for “torture” and violation of the persons deprived of liberty’s right to the free exercise of religion.
She pointed out that doing such was not only a violation of an agreement between the BuCor and its caterer but was an infringement on the inmates’ constitutional rights.
“Pork is forbidden for Muslims and 7th Day Adventists and it is clear in the Bucor guidelines that they should be given food in accordance with their religious practice specified as halal-certified products,” Mastura stressed.