Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to express concern regarding the disrespect of the religion and dignity of 20 prisoners presently detained in General Santos City Jail. Tortured detainees were prevented from complaining due to threats to their families.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the testimony of 20 prisoners of General Santos City Jail, Lanton)
At 2:15 p.m. on 2 June 2015, while the prisoners were having their dinner in the dining area, the jail marshal supervised by Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel SJO4 Ferdinand Suelan suddenly conducted a search operation of their cells. None of the prisoners were allowed to witness the search.
According to Damie Mokiding, when they went into their cells after the search operation was completed, “We were shocked at what happened to our clothes, which were mixed with our food and trampled on the floor. The worst thing was that the Qur’an was thrown in the trash can. Our feelings were of regret and anger, because they openly showed discrimination and disrespect.”
The names of the detainees whose prison cells were searched are: Angel Avenido, Ericson Dalisay, Argie Noro, Kervin Balasi, Noli Taer, Asrap Kusain, Lorenzo MonteDeramos, Nasser Makil, Michael Asumbra, Jomar Soliman, Ricky Asparagoza, Baset Damie, Nasser Kamid, Suharto Guiwan, Damie Mokiding, Antonio David, Ian Tan, Dennis Mauna, Stephen Tingson and Vinzon Moreno.
Mokiding also said that their relatives were only allowed to visit with them for 10 minutes, sometimes less, and sometimes not at all. Even during the visits, their handcuffs are not removed. Furthermore, “our female visitors sometimes encountered degradation” by the jail guards.
Dennis Mauna and Antonio David stated that they had complained about the prison food, that it is “sometimes musty, but the jail guard Ferdinand Suelan and Jay Chris Abanilla got angry and beat us, and told us that we have no right to complain”. They then filed a complaint against the jail guard and the jail warden to the Commission on Human Rights. “After the perpetrators found out that we have complained to them, they threaten us and told they will personally kill our family if we continue the case.”
One detainee, Vinzon Moreno, also complained that he has tuberculosis due to sleeping on the cement floor and the prison was congested. The water will flow only in the morning and evening. “I tried to inform the infirmary about my condition and ask for some medicine, but they didn’t take any action,” Vinzon said.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Kindly send letters to the concerned authorities listed below requesting for their immediate intervention in this case.
Please note that the Asian Human Rights Commission has written separate letters to the UN Special Rapporteurs on torture and other degrading treatment and punishment, and on Freedom of Religion requesting their prompt intervention into this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ………………..,
PHILIPPINES: Detainees threatened, tortured and their religion disrespected
Name of detainees: Angel Avenido, Ericson Dalisay, Argie Noro, Kervin Balasi, Noli Taer, Asrap Kusain, Lorenzo MonteDeramos, Nasser Makil, Michael Asumbra, Jomar Soliman, Ricky Asparagoza, Baset Damie, Nasser Kamid, Suharto Guiwan, Damie Mokiding, Antonio Davd, Ian Tan, Dennis Mauna, Stephen Tingson and Vinzon Moreno
Name of prison officers: SJO4 Ferdinand Suelan, Jay Chris Abanilla, Jerwin Genie Ronquillo – Head Jail Warden
Place of incident: General Santos City Jail, Lanton
I am writing to express serious concern regarding the condition of 20 detainees in General Santos City Jail.
At 2:15 p.m. on 2 June 2015, while the prisoners were having their dinner in the dining area, the jail marshal supervised by Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel SJO4 Ferdinand Suelan suddenly conducted a search operation of their cells. None of the prisoners were allowed to witness the search.
According to Damie Mokiding, when they went into their cells after the search operation was completed, “We were shocked at what happened to our clothes, which were mixed with our food and trampled on the floor. The worst thing was that the Qur’an was thrown in the trash can. Our feelings were of regret and anger, because they openly showed discrimination and disrespect.”
The names of the detainees whose prison cells were searched are: Angel Avenido, Ericson Dalisay, Argie Noro, Kervin Balasi, Noli Taer, Asrap Kusain, Lorenzo MonteDeramos, Nasser Makil, Michael Asumbra, Jomar Soliman, Ricky Asparagoza, Baset Damie, Nasser Kamid, Suharto Guiwan, Damie Mokiding, Antonio David, Ian Tan, Dennis Mauna, Stephen Tingson and Vinzon Moreno.
Mokiding also said that their relatives were only allowed to visit with them for 10 minutes, sometimes less, and sometimes not at all. Even during the visits, their handcuffs are not removed. Furthermore, “our female visitors sometimes encountered degradation” by the jail guards.
Dennis Mauna and Antonio David stated that they had complained about the prison food, that it is “sometimes musty, but the jail guard Ferdinand Suelan and Jay Chris Abanilla got angry and beat us, and told us that we have no right to complain”. They then filed a complaint against the jail guard and the jail warden to the Commission on Human Rights. “After the perpetrators found out that we have complained to them, they threaten us and told they will personally kill our family if we continue the case.”
One detainee, Vinzon Moreno, also complained that he has tuberculosis due to sleeping on the cement floor and the prison was congested. The water will flow only in the morning and evening. “I tried to inform the infirmary about my condition and ask for some medicine, but they didn’t take any action,” Vinzon said.
I am dismayed at learning that during a search of the prisoners’ cells on 2 June 2015, the jail officers threw the detainees’ Qur’an in the trash can. The detainees’ right to receive visitors was also violated by the jail guard, because they were only allowed 10 minutes of visit time rather than the full allotted time as provided by law.
Other detainees were beaten for complaining about the food, and further threatened with harm to their families for lodging complaints against the beating. Congestion and hygiene are also issues, with one detainee suffering from tuberculosis. No action was taken to treat him or prevent the spreading of the disease.
I urge you to ensure the health and welfare of all detainees, and to initiate an immediate investigation into the allegation of torture and threats to the detainees.
I trust that you will take appropriate action in this.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Benigno Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
2. Mr. Jose Luis Martin Gascon
Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188
3. Ricardo C. Marquez
Chief
Philippine National Police
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City, Philippines
Fax +632 7248763
Email: feedback@pnp.gov.ph
4. Ms. Leila de Lima
Secretary
Department of Justice (DOJ)
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 521 1614
E-mail: soj@doj.gov.ph
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
