CHR reminds police to uphold human rights in checkpoints
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan 20 (PIA) -- The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has reminded the police force to uphold human rights in the conduct of checkpoint operations during the election period.
CHR special investigator Jesus Canete said policemen manning the checkpoints should take extra careful on the proper conduct and behavior in checking motorists.
Canete said the checkpoints is legitimate and necessary to maintain peace and order and to ensure public safety in line with the midterm elections, but that basic protocols should also be observed.
He added the operations should be covered by appropriate official order from higher authorities.
Frisking or body search on motorists is a violation unless there is something suspicious on the person, said Canete.
He asked the policemen manning the checkpoints to respect the basic rights of the citizens.
The CHR also reminded the general public regarding the advisory on the 10 basic rules during conduct of checkpoints by police as follows:
1. Checkpoint must be well-lit, properly identified and manned by uniformed personnel.
2. Upon approach, slow down, dim headlights and turn on cabin lights. Never step out of the vehicle.
3. Lock all doors. Only visual search is allowed.
4. Do not submit to a physical or body search.
5. You are not obliged to open the glove compartment, the trunk or bags.
6. Ordinary/routine questions may be asked. Be courteous but firm with answers.
7. Assert your rights, have presence of mind and do not panic.
8. Keep your driver's license and car registration handy and within reach.
9. Be ready to use your cell phone at any time. Save an emergency number on your speed dial.
10. Report violations immediately. Your actions may save others.
This advisory guide serves as warning to both the motorists and authorities at checkpoints to avoid violation of human rights. (FCR/JCT-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)
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NegOr Comelec to reshuffle its elections officers
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan 20 (PIA) -- Election officers in Negros Oriental will be reassigned to other areas in Central Visayas starting tomorrow, January 21.
Atty. Eddie Aba, the current provincial election supervisor of the Commission on Election (Comelec) here said the reshuffling is necessary as part of the preparations for ensuring a clean and fair May 2013 elections.
“Just like other government agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Comelec has also a mandatory re-assignment to other areas especially those officials who had stayed in their areas for some time and are already familiar with incumbent local officials,” explained Aba.
Other local election officials who are related to any candidates in his or her area would be replaced to ensure impartiality.
Aba said he will be assigned to Cebu province but not entirely leave the province as he goes back and forth weekly until after this year’s election.
He said he will pass on his functions temporarily to Jerome Brillantes, the election officer of Guihulngan City to take over his post.
Aba added, “I am confident that Brillantes will be able to maintain the prestige of Negros Oriental as one of the 10 provinces in the country with zero poll-related incident in the previous elections.” (FCR/JCT-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)
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BJMP NegOr gets P.5M for TB treatment center
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAUETE CITY, Jan 20 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Negros Oriental has secured a P.5 million for the construction of infirmary jail facilities in the province.
Due to the increase of tuberculosis cases in district jails, Jail Chief Inspector Rosalina Malahay, provincial jail administrator of BJMP, said her agency was able to secure funding assistance from the Department of Health (DOH) to put up TB jail facilities.
Of the P500,000 for construction of infirmary jail facilities, Dumaguete City and Bais City will have an equal share of P200,000 each and the remaining P100,000 allotted for Guihulngan City.
With the support of the DOH, Malahay said the overcrowded detention facilities being an effective breeding ground for the spread of TB, will be controlled with separate treatment room.
Malahay said the rise of TB patients in jails is expected also to infect and create greater health risk for the inmates’ visitors-families especially their children.
The construction of the infirmary facilities will be administered by the BJMP which Malahay plans to start this month.
Inmates affected with TB will have access to proper treatment and monitoring of their health conditions with this facility.
Meanwhile, Malahay said as a way of reforming the detainees, the BJMP has introduced a therapeutic community modality program provincewide which treat behavioral approach.
“This is a behavioral treatment approach designed for drug dependents clients making each one of them while in confinement become part of the treatment therapy hopefully helping them negate their criminal behavior and making them a transformed citizen when they go back to the community,” said Malahay.
She also reported during a peace and order council meeting that for 2012, no jailbreak or any untoward incidents occurred within the jails in the province.
Malahay noted that her agency’s significant accomplishment is the turn-over of the new Tanjay district jail facility funded by the Tanjay City government. (FCR/JCT-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)