Stricter rules on use of special jails sought

Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said all persons, regardless of station in life, were equally entitled to due process, equal protection of the laws and social justice.

MANILA, Philippines — A veteran lawmaker wants all overstaying inmates in “special” jails of the military, police and other law enforcement agencies to be transferred immediately to regular detention facilities when ordered by a court.

In filing House Resolution No. 2018 (HR 2018), Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said all persons, regardless of station in life, were equally entitled to due process, equal protection of the laws, and social justice.

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Equal protection

“After the corresponding information is filed and the commitment order is issued by the courts, the arrested persons should be detained immediately at the municipal, city or provincial jail where the venue of the crime for which they are arrested is located,” said Abante, House committee on human rights chair.

To make social justice and equal protection of the laws real, he stressed that the military, police, and National Bureau of Investigation should stop detaining persons charged and arrested for committing crimes in “special” detention facilities while they are on trial.