BJMP launches handbook for treatment for Muslim PDLs

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has launched a handbook for the treatment of Muslim persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

The new "Handbook on Islam in Places of Detention" contains guidelines to promote religious and cultural sensitivity in the country's jails, said BJMP spokesperson Jail Chief Inspector Jayrex Bustinera.

"Ito po ay napakahalaga para sa ating jail officers at BJMP facilities dahil nakalagay na rito ang tamang pagtrato, tamang sensitivities natin sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim na nakabilanggo," said Bustinero in a public briefing.

(This is very important because it contains guidelines for the respectful treatment for the cultural and religious sensitivities of the Muslim PDLs.)

"Isa na rito ang tamang pagtrato kung paano kakain ang ating PDLs given na may specific restrictions ang ating mga kapatid na Muslim. Gan'un din pagtrato sa mga asawa, dalaw, at iba't ibang aspeto ng kanilang pamumuhay na kung saan nagiging very respectful, very sensitive ang BJMP sa mga cultural specificities," he added.

(One of them is the proper handling of food, given that Muslim PDLs have specific restrictions. It also includes how their partners, visitors, and other aspects of their lives should be treated so that the BJMP can be very respectful, very sensitive to cultural specificities.)

Meanwhile, facilities for practicing religious activities are likewise provided for the Muslim PDLS inside prisons, Bustinera added.

"May mga facilities tayo na may mosque and we encourage and respect na kailangan nila mag-practice ng religion at spirituality habang nakakulong," he added.

(We have prison facilities with a mosque and we encourage and respect that they need to practice their religion and spirituality even while serving jail time.)

The number of PDLs in the country stands at 117,000—down from 127,000 in 2023, according to the BJMP official. — VDV, GMA Integrated News