Hustisya, an organization of human rights violations victims including families of political prisoners, express our strongest condemnation of a memorandum issued by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-National Capital Region (BJMP-NCR), dated January 10, 2025, directing the close monitoring of suspected members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) within jails.
This directive, predicated on baseless allegations circulating on social media, raises grave concerns on the peril it poses to human rights and democratic freedoms.
The memorandum cites an unverified Facebook post by retired Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Parlade Jr., accusing Rep. France Castro of ACT Partylist of frequenting jails in order to solicit funds for her senatorial bid from suspected drug traffickers through political prisoners. Reliance on such unsubstantiated claims to justify heightened surveillance and profiling of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) is not only reckless but also erodes the fundamental principles of due process and presumption of innocence enshrined in the Philippine Constitution.
This directive dangerously blurs the line between legitimate security measures and politically motivated persecution. It fosters a climate of fear and intimidation within detention facilities, targeting individuals based solely on suspicion of ideological affiliation. Such actions echo the dark history of repression in our nation and have no place in a democratic society that values human dignity, rights and the rule of law.
Moreover, this policy risks legitimizing red-tagging, a practice condemned both domestically and internationally for endangering lives, liberty and security and stifling dissent. By institutionalizing surveillance based on mere association, the BJMP exposes PDLs, their families, friends, legal representatives, and even jail personnel to harassment, discrimination, and violence.
We remind the BJMP and all law enforcement agencies that their sworn duty is to uphold the law impartially and protect the rights of every individual, regardless of political belief or association. The State must never weaponize its institutions to silence opposition or suppress legitimate political expression.
We call for the immediate revocation of this memorandum and demand that the BJMP focus on fulfilling its mandate with integrity, ensuring the humane treatment of all detainees and respecting their constitutional rights. We also urge the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and other oversight bodies to investigate this directive and hold accountable those who perpetuate policies that violate human rights.
In these times of growing authoritarian tendencies, we stand firm in our commitment to justice, human dignity and the rule of law. Let this be a resolute reminder that fear and repression will never silence the pursuit of truth and freedom.
