BuCor relieves 7 officers amid probe on NBP strip search

Seven Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officers have been relieved of their posts in connection with the investigation on their conduct of strip search on wives of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

“They will be placed under attached/unassigned at the New Bilibid Prison Superintendent's Office,” theBuCor said in a statement on Wednesday.

The order was signed by Acting NBP Superintendent Ruben Formoso.

Formoso issued the order a day after wives of PDLs and political prisoners filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) against the strip search they experienced at the NBP's Maximum Security Compound on April 21.

One of the wives, Gloria Almonte, said she was “nearly in tears and trembling” and was asked to bend over while being subjected to inspection. Another wife said she had to repeat the procedure at least 10 times as she supposedly wasn't doing it right.

The compliant prompted BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to order separate investigations. 

Formoso said BuCor will probe how the officers conducted their strip search and whether they violated existing protocols.

Meanwhile, NBP Maximum Security Camp commander Abel Ciruela said strip cavity searches were being implemented on all visitors since 2018.

He said it became mandatory due to the number of contrabands confiscated inside the facility and the visitors who are caught trying to smuggle in contrabands.

Ciruela said visitors are also made to sign a waiver and that those who do not wish to sign the waiver may visit through online visitation.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has started its own investigation into the complaint filed by the wives of PDLs. —KBK, GMA Integrated News