Bicol Seminar

Professionals  from different government agencies participated in a study session on torture prevention and rehabilitation organized by Balay Rehabilitation Center  in  Albay in Bicol province on February 23-24, 2016. The 2-day activity gathered 36 participants which included   healthcare providers, lawyers, and social workers from the regional offices of the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Public Attorney’s Office. Members of the Philippine National Police, the Department of Justice, and civil society organizations  in Albay province and Naga City  also joined the event.

The participant noted that the seminar was timely as it coincided with the commemoration of the so-called People Power Revolution that give brought about the downfall of the Marcos dictatorship in February 1986.  Many of them expressed their surprise to learn that torture continues to be committed by authorities despite the end of military rule and the  rise of a liberal democratic regime thirty years ago.

The chief legal officer of the Commission on Human Rights in Region V presented the salient provision of the Anti-Torture Act or Republic Act 9745, and highlighted the respective roles of  doctors in medical examination and treatment of torture victims and for the public defenders to assist the victim in filing a complaint against perpetrators. The social workers were also reminded to report to the CHR possible cases of torture or ill treatment of children and women  that seek their services.

The Balay resource person facilitated a workshop on basic torture documentation and underscored the importance of coordination in relation to monitoring and reporting among mandated agencies and civil society groups supporting torture victims.

The participants said they will organize a similar study session in their respective offices.