The Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainee Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) and LAYA Campaign for the Release of All Political Prisoners expressed their support for the political prisoners at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) as the latter called for accountability and the return of missing funds, following the results of a recent audit at the CIW that revealed that up to P6 million of funds remitted by families of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) have gone missing.
According to reports by the CIW political prisoners, the “trust fund,” in which remittances by the PDLs’ families are deposited, is supposed to contain P13 million, but only P7 million could be produced by the Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) employee handling the “trust fund”. PDLs can withdraw minimal amounts from the “trust fund” weekly for basic needs that the CIW is unable to provide.
The women political prisoners were further angered by the “solution” proposed by CIW SSupt. Daisy Castillote that the missing funds be replaced by money earned from the PDLs’ telephone calls. The cost of every five-minute call, however, will be raised from P3.00 to P5.00 and the PDLs will no longer be receiving a share of the income, which they used to defray costs of improving conditions in their dormitories.
SELDA Vice Chairperson Danilo dela Fuente said it is outrageous for the Bucor to pass the burden of replenishing the stolen funds to the PDLs themselves. “The Bucor should investigate its erring personnel, file the necessary charges and demand that she return what she embezzled instead of squeezing the PDLs dry.”
LAYA spokesperson Amanda Echanis added, “The Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Justice and other pertinent government agencies must get to the bottom of this. A thorough and impartial investigation must be done. Every cent counts and the fact is 6 million is missing at the hands of CIW personnel. This mirrors the bigger system of corruption in other government offices. While poor Filipino people are easily put in jail, plunderers in government remain in power. Accountability must be upheld.”
“Funds of the PDLs must be given in whole and managed by the PDLs themselves for their collective fund. This should be used for the sole benefit of the female inmates. No part of it should be taken anymore by the jail as a humanitarian consideration, especially to the PDLs who have no means to support themselves.”
SELDA and LAYA vowed to provide unflinching support to the political prisoners at the CIW in their continuing demand for transparency and accountability with regard to the “trust fund” system, and for other reforms at the national women’s prison.