Human rights advocates are set to file criminal and administrative complaints against Jail Warden Maj. Crisysrel Awe, who was previously removed following a mass protest by detainees but later reinstated, over alleged violations of the rights of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) inside the Negros Occidental District Jail – Male Dormitory (NODJ-MD) in Bago City.
The complaints will cover the reported illegal isolation of political detainee Lorenzo “Tisoy” Perolino and other documented cases of harassment, restricted movement, and degrading treatment of detainees and their families.
According to the Human Rights Alliance – Negros (HRAN), Perolino was taken by the Special Tactics and Response (STAR) Team on October 26, shortly after a dialogue between human rights advocates and jail officials.
He was supposed to meet with the Officer of the Day, SJO3 Aragones, but was instead brought directly to an isolation cell — still handcuffed and without explanation.
His family confirmed that he was later padlocked without notice, hearing, or clear reason, in violation of basic due process.
“Solitary confinement is prohibited under the UN Nelson Mandela Rules and the Anti-Torture Act of 2009,” HRAN said, describing Perolino’s isolation as illegal detention and a form of incommunicado torture.
During a press conference earlier today, October 29, lawyer Atty. Rey Gorgonio said they will also seek accountability from BJMP-NIR Regional Director JCSupt. Brendan Fulgencio for command responsibility, citing his role in reinstating Awe despite earlier complaints.
He said around 50 detainees have executed affidavits detailing various rights abuses, including harassment, restrictions on movement, and the suspension of Alternative Learning System (ALS) classes inside the jail.
Gorgonio criticized the BJMP regional office for clearing Awe of wrongdoing without a proper probe, noting that the decision came even as detainees and witnesses had already submitted sworn statements detailing the alleged abuses.
“There was no real investigation. They simply justified Awe’s actions and ignored the detainees’ complaints,” he said.
The rights lawyer also noted that the jail remains under lockdown, with detainees barred from recreational and religious activities, while visits are limited only to immediate family and lawyers. Families of detainees described worsening abuse, including strip searches of women visitors.
Lovely Mae Petingco, wife of one detainee, said visitors are compelled to remove their clothes and are subjected to flashlight inspections of their private parts.
“They are treated like criminals even if they’re just visiting loved ones,” she said.
HRAN said the abuses form part of a pattern of repression and retaliation targeting at least 18 political detainees, including Fr. Frank Fernandez, who is in poor health, and others such as Abraham Villanueva, George Bugaay, and Welmar Pongasi.
The group said the restrictions worsened after Awe’s reinstatement, which followed the August 24–28 protest joined by more than 600 detainees asserting their rights and welfare.
Perolino, one of the negotiators during the protest, has since faced repeated harassment and isolation.
“CHR is mandated to investigate. Do your job,” Gorgonio said, urging the Commission on Human Rights and other government bodies to act immediately.
“The pattern of repression under Awe’s leadership endangers lives and erodes public trust in the justice system,” HRAN added.
Paghimutad 