We, the members of the Association of Women in Theology, gathered for its General Assembly at Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary in Baguio City, vehemently condemn the strip search and cavity search done to a human rights defender Jimmylisa Badayos. On 29 December 2019, Ms. Badayos visited her husband Calixto Vistal, a political prisoner at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa.
However, before she could enter the detention facility, the New Bilibid prison guards subjected her to a humiliating, dehumanizing, and traumatic “procedure” against her will.
We decry the harassment and degradation she had to go through in the exercise of her civil and political right to visit her husband. This strip and cavity search procedure done to Jimmylisa Badayos is an offense against her body, her person, and her total well-being. The NBP policy disrespects the personhood of a human being. It is a misogynistic and fascist tool used to debase Ms. Badayos, and women in general.
We denounce the NBP policy and the Duterte administration for allowing this mortifying practice of strip and cavity search. Surely, this cannot be treated as an isolated case, for this is already an institutional conduct with consent from the administration.
Jimmlisa’s story reflects the saga of a human rights defender. She has suffered a lot, but remains steadfast on her commitment to serve the people as human rights defender.
Jimmylisa is a daughter of the martyred Elisa Badayos, coordinator of KARAPATAN-Negros Oriental Province and desaparecido Jimmy Badayos. Elisa Badayos was killed along with peasant leader Eleuterio Moises during a fact-finding mission to investigate reported military abuses in Negros Oriental on 28 November 2017.
She was also illegally arrested by the elements of AFP-Military Inteligence Group and PNP- City Intelligence in October 2012 on her way home with Calixto Vistal. They were both were slapped with a trumped-up case of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. When Jimmylisa was released, her husband was convicted and sentenced to reclusion perpetua.
She deserves justice on the abuse and ignominy done against her and all victims of the strip and cavity search practice whenever they make a visit to political prisoners.
We call on the Commission on Human Rights, independent human rights organizations to conduct an immediate investigation on the incident and to stop the policy of strip and cavity search against relatives and visitors of political prisoners and all detainees. We call on the New Bilibid Prison to repeal its strip and cavity search policy, in respect to women’s rights. Lastly, we call on the government and its forces to put their hands off women human rights defenders!##
Ms. Jenny Ferariza Meneses, Coordinator
Maricar Delfun, Co-Coordinor
Mayette Timbang, Secretary-Treasurer
AWIT ASSEMBLY
Jan 7-9, Baguio City
Association of Women in Theology (AWIT) 