In a collaborative effort aimed at promoting diversity and inclusivity within correctional facilities, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), led by BuCor Director General GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.), CESE, CCLH, participated in the launch of the Islam Handbook in Places of Detention. The event, which took place at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City today, June 04, 2024, saw the convergence of various governmental entities and international organizations dedicated to upholding human rights and cultural sensitivity.
The initiative involved key stakeholders such as the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine National Police Salaam Police Center (PNP-SPC), National Commission for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other concerned agencies.
Among the notable figures who attended the program were DANIELE MARCHESI, Country Manager of UNODC Programme Office in the Philippines, JDIR RUEL S RIVERA, DSC, Chief of BJMP, HON. SHEIKH SABUDDIN N. ABDURAHIM, Secretary of NCMF, and HON. ALMARIM C TILLAH, AL HAJ, Presidential Adviser on Muslim Affairs.
During the program, CT/SUPT DOROTHY C BERNABE presented the experiences of the Bureau in accommodating Islamic practices. CT/INSP LARIZA V MARTIN, CTO1 Lucia E Santos, and CO1 Saaddudin D Cauntongan actively took part in the Corrections-focused consultation and contributed written inputs to the handbook.
The Islam Handbook serves as a comprehensive guide for custodial officers on the front lines of jails and prisons in the Philippines, as well as senior managers and policymakers in agencies responsible for the custody of PDLs. This handbook will shed light on essential Muslim practices and beliefs pertinent to the custodial setting, broadening the awareness and understanding necessary for effective governance in jails and prisons.
Under the direction of DG CATAPANG, the Bureau of Corrections is committed to promoting understanding and respect for all religious beliefs and practices within the correctional system. BuCor and its partner agencies aim to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals of diverse backgrounds by incorporating cultural sensitivity and spiritual awareness into the management of detention facilities.
