by Tracy Ramos
Altermidya has filed a formal complaint Wednesday, July 16, with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) regarding alleged mistreatment of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), including political prisoners Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil, inside the Tacloban City Jail.
The group has, in particular, filed a complaint against Tacloban City Jail Warden J/Insp Eva E. Naputo for what it describes as “repressive treatment” of Cumpio and Domequil, including allegedly refusing to grant them rights to medical check-ups, privately confer with their lawyers, and receive visits from the media and diplomatic community.
A representative from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s Directorate for Investigation and Prosecution Office received the complaint and spoke with Altermidya on the matter. The same complaint was also submitted to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) later that day.
During the dialogue, Altermidya national chairperson Raymund Villanueva stressed the jail’s responsibility to uphold the rights of its inmates. “Hindi lang sobrang higpit kundi ‘yung basic rights katulad ng healthcare ay hindi agad binibigay,” he said.
The complaint also raised concerns over incidents where personal letters addressed to Domequil and Cumpio were read but not handed to them, as well as delays in the processing of consent forms for trial monitoring due to the warden’s slow approval.
After the dialogue Domequil’s sister Kyle, who visited her in prison, said that her sister said jail warden Naputo spoke to them regarding the complaint.
“Pinatawag na sila after ng posting ng Altermidya. Tinanong sila kung bakit daw may complaint na ganito. Dine-deny ulit ni Warden Naputo ‘yung accusations, ‘yung allegations. Naghuhugas kamay lang siya ulit kahit na mayroon nang complaint sa BJMP at sa CHR,” Kyle said.
This is not the first time the jail received a complaint, she added. Earlier this week, a complaint was filed regarding a damaged roof that the warden has allegedly refused to repair despite several requests from the PDLs. It prompted a visit by CHR Region 8 representatives to investigate the jail conditions.
“Kung ganiyang ang nangyayari, basically since assignment dyan ni Naputo simula noong last year, dapat siyang tanggalin dyan sa jail, sa TCJFD (Tacloban City Jail Female Dormitory), kasi limang taon, tatlong taon na akong bumibisita kay ate, first time na nangyari na ganyan,” she added.
The younger Domequil also urged the BJMP to investigate the reported violations, particularly the discriminatory acts against Cumpio and Domiquil, and concerns regarding visitation for other PDLs.
“Kung gusto nilang mag-establish ng jail na pro-people at pro-PDL, simulan nila sa pag-iimbestiga. I-relieve si Naputo at (Chief Unit Intelligence Officer SJO1) Canayong, mag-establish ng policies na pro-PDL, at makinig sa mga PDL at hindi kung sinu-sino lang ang pinapakinggan nila,” Kyle said.#
