CHR disputes PNP report on ‘hidden cell’

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is disputing the results of a fact-finding investigation conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) that denied the existence of a secret detention facility at the Manila Police District Station 1.

The CHR insisted yesterday that the police committed a violation when it established a secret detention facility, contrary to the findings and recommendations of the PNP Regional Internal Affairs Service (PNPRIAS) – National Capital Region that absolved the police from liability.

“Releasing a report that is not based on a full-blown investigation misleads the public that the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) has already come up with its official findings and, is therefore, premature,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said.

“In the report, the RIAS denied the existence of a secret detention cell and claimed that it is just a holding/staging area for arrested persons temporarily held while undergoing documentation prior to inquest proceedings at the city prosecutor’s office,” she added.

De Guia questioned the lack of a padlock and the use of a cabinet to block the entrance to the cell.

“The RIAS findings also pointed out that there were no signs of physical torture among the detainees. However, under Section 4 (b) of RA 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009, confinement in secret detention places is already a form of mental/psychological torture,” said the CHR official.

De Guia said the CHR is confident that the PNP’s RIAS report would not have any effect on the result of the investigation of the Office of the Ombudsman, where it has filed a complaint against the police officers assigned at the station.

PNP-IAS chief Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo already clarified that the fact-finding report is not the official stand of the investigating body.