MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Bangsamoro Government’s Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC) conducted a series of jail monitoring activities from August 1 to 5, 2022 in Lanao del Sur detention facilities to ensure that no minors were being detained by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Municipal Police Stations.

The Ministry of Social Services and Development as the lead ministry, in partnership with Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, steered the said activity.

Among the facilities visited were Lanao del Sur Provincial Jail and the Municipal Police Stations of Marawi, Amai Manabilang, Wao, and Marantao.

“Sinisigurado namin ang status at kung paano i-handle ang mga cases ng mga menor de edad. If ever na may makita kami na hindi akma [based on the law] kung ano ang nasa guidelines, gagawan natin ito ng agarang hakbang,” RJJWC Social Welfare Officer Naima Nor said.

[We ascertain the status and how to handle cases of minors. If we ever see something that does not fit [based on the law] we will take immediate action on what is in the guidelines.]

The team also ensured that jail officers and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are implementing the proper guidelines and protocols.

“Ang initiative ng grupo na ito ay para tingnan at ma-rescue ang mga bata na nasa loob ng kulungan at matulungan since bibigyan sila ng mga intervensions,” she further said.

[The initiative of this group is to see and rescue the children who are inside the jail and help them since they will be given interventions.]

Accordingly, instead of locking them up in detention centers, these children will be taken care of and will be given proper intervention such as legal and psychosocial support.

The team also recognized the Lanao del Sur Provincial Jail’s good management by providing welfare and training as well as development programs for inmates.

Representatives from Marawi City Public Attorneys, PNP, and the local government units joined the said monitoring activity.

RJJWC is mandated to regularly monitor the detention and rehabilitation facilities in the region to ensure compliance with the standards provided in pursuance to Republic Act (RA) 9344 (amended by RA 10630).

A similar activity was earlier conducted in Maguindanao. The team’s next inspection of other BARMM provinces will be in November 2022. (BIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)