PNP starts inspection of police detention cells in wake of torture case

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 11 years ago

PAIN MACHINE. Detainees—mostly suspected drug traffickers—are forced to spin this wheel of torture. For example, “20 seconds Manny Pacman” means 20 seconds of nonstop punches. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/CHR

MANILA, Philippines–Lock-up cells and detention facilities in all Philippine National Police offices will have to undergo regular inspections as the police started establishing an inventory and accounting of all prisoners.

The PNP Human Rights Affairs Office and the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management sent inspection and audit teams to check the condition of prisoners in regional, provincial, city and municipal detention cells.

This was ordered in the wake of the discovery of the so-called Wheel of Torture inside a Laguna Police Provincial Office in January. The torture game resulted in the relief of at least 10 policemen.

The case prompted Loretta Rosales, Commission on Human Rights chairwoman, to ask Director General Alan Purisima, PNP chief, to order the investigation of the camp commander in Biñan for possible lapses and for not reporting and acting immediately on the existence of the torture chamber.

After the inspection, the directive also requires the inspection teams to submit an updated list of detention facilities and prisoners or detainees in compliance with Republic Act no. 9745, or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009.

In a memorandum, Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, PNP HRAO chief, called for the strict and faithful compliance of all regional offices and national support units, particularly the Human Rights Affairs police officers.

“Even the mere failure to comply with the reportorial requirements is a criminal offense as provided under Section 7 in relation to Section 14 of RA 9745,” Bañas added.

On Jan. 30, Chief Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian, Calabarzon police director, removed Senior Superintendent Pascual Muñoz, Laguna police provincial director and Superintendent Kirby Kraft, chief intelligence officer of Laguna police.