• Home
  • Advertising
  • Submit an Article
  • About RTTP
  • Contact Us

Retiring to the Philippines

Magazine for expats thinking of retiring to the Philippines

  • Guide
    • About the Philippines
    • Moving to the Philippines
    • Visas
    • Packing & Shipping
    • Bringing Your Pets
    • Importing a Motor Vehicle
  • Living in the Philippines
    • Culture Shock
    • Property
    • Banking
    • Driving
    • Public Transportation
    • Telecommunications
    • Hobbies & Interests
  • Travel
    • Airline News and Promotions
    • Places to Visit
    • Best Way to Get There
    • Lodging
  • Food & Drink
    • Restaurants
    • Imported Foods & Drinks
    • Home Cooking
  • Entertainment
    • Nightlife
    • Things to Do
  • Shopping
    • Where to Shop
  • Health
    • Doctors
    • Hospitals
    • Alternative Medicine
    • Insurance
  • Economy
    • Cost of Living
    • Business News & Information
    • Investing in the Philippines

That’s The Sound Of The Men

February 17, 2014 by Gary McMurrain Leave a Comment

filipino prison2
No, they are not working on a chain gang! Although that may well have been a much better option than to experience the now outlawed Wheel of Torture. Some police stations had a Wheel of Torture, which they subjected prisoners who had committed heinous crimes and others who were drug traffickers. Spin the wheel and see what we get to do to you today! 20 Pacman. That is 20 seconds of being punched, as close as possible to what Manny would deliver!

No more Wheel of Torture and every jail was, and still is, being searched without advanced notice, by a team of PNP officers to ensure the humane treatment of prisoners. A number of law enforcement officers in Philippine jails have been dismissed due to the Wheel of Torture and other abuses.

I was a law enforcement officer for almost 5 years and it is sometimes difficult not to get caught up in some extra-judicial punishment in the heat of the moment, although I am in no way advocating or justifying such. Several years ago in a city in the Philippines, two pedicab drivers were arrested and jailed for raping and strangling a lovely little 9 year old girl. These guys were animals! They were given dirty jobs in the jail, such as emptying urinals from the jail cells.

One evening, one among the two attempted to snatch a PNP officer’s sidearm as he escorted them to do their job. Without hesitation, another PNP officer shot and killed the one wrestling with the other officer. The other pedicab driver tried the same thing but was also shot dead. Of course both officers were placed on Administrative Leave and placed under investigation. The Mayor of the City stated that both PNP officers deserved a medal of the highest order! Some people cry out about Human Rights violations. What about the little girl, who was savagely raped and strangled? What about her parents and other family members?

Did anyone cry out about their Human Rights?

Expats Beware!

Engaging in business that is in direct competition with Filipinos can land you behind bars. Especially if you do not have the proper Philippine visa, all the permits and all the paperwork completely in order. Some competitors will just have you whacked and that is the end of it but others will use any legal means possible to put you out of business. Even if it means hiring liars! Engaging in an employment recruiting agency is highly risky, as many Filipinos have engaged in this business for years and you will not be welcomed with open arms!

There have been more than one expat bar owner who was “set up!” Planting a female minor with a fake ID to work as a GRO, Guest Relations Officer, in your bar is a quick way to have your bar shut down. And you will be sitting behind bars! In the Philippines, this is a human trafficking offense and it is very serious. As a bar owner, you must be 100% positive that all the ladies working in your bar are legal adults. A GRO with a fake ID is not an accepted defense in a court of law.

Straight Path Behind The Fence

During the first few years of the current Administration, The Bureau of Corrections continued to present problems. Some inmates were allowed to buy their freedom and were not even required to actually be in a prison, despite their sentences. There was rampant illegal drug trade inside the prisons. The Assistant Director of the Bureau was ambushed and shot dead in his car while on his way home one evening. Something had to give and it had to be soon! With more than 37,000 inmates in the country, prison reform was long overdue.

Republic Act Number 10575 was filed, voted on, signed and now Law!

Professionalism, Reformation and Modernization

New Corrections Officers are required to possess a 4 year degree and they must pass a psychiatric/psychological exam and a physical exam. New Corrections Officers cannot have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or other crimes. For incumbent Bureau of Corrections personnel without the required educational and eligibility, the new law requires them to obtain the minimum educational and eligibility within 5 years.

Under the new law, inmates can now be assured that they will receive the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, decent quarters, clothing, food and water. Importance is placed on the inmates education, livelihood development and their moral and spiritual welfare.

An actual Training Academy for Corrections Officers is in the works! The PMA, Philippine Military Academy is already recognized in Asia as a fine training facility for military officers and the PCA, or whatever the final name will be, can also be a great training academy.

Yes, the times are changing in the Philippines Bureau of Corrections, however, if you decide to visit for awhile, do not expect it to be the Century Park Sheraton. You can check out any time you like but you won’t be leaving anytime soon! The Judicial System is still backlogged and will be for years to come.

In my daily interactions with many expats who have retired to the Philippines and to those who are spending quality time here, hardly a day goes by that at least one is not looking for ways to circumvent laws in the Philippines! Whether it be about engaging in businesses and setting up dummy corporations, buying land, Immigration issues or other ventures, it is just not worth it!

It has been said that everything is legal in the Philippines until you get caught! All it takes is one whistle blower, someone you pissed off or one suffering from crab mentality, to turn you in. It will not always be a Filipino, either, but someone you actually know and think you know well!

Whatcha gonna do?

This is the second in a two part series of articles on the Philippine prison system. You can read the first part of the series here.

(Visited 484 times, 1 visits today)

You Might Also Like...

  • FILIPINO_PRISON
    Living Behind The Fence
  • Email From A Retired Expat
    Email From A Retired Expat
  • Mount Mayon, Legazpi City, Luzon Islands, Philip
    A Personal Story of Life in the Philippines
Tweet
Share
Pin
0 Shares

Filed Under: About the Philippines, Culture Shock Tagged With: jails, judicial system, philippines, prisons

About Gary McMurrain

Gary McMurrain has been involved with the Philippines in one way or another for over 30 years. He has been living in Bacolod for 6 years and is widely considered an authority on living the expat life.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

  • Is Gambling in the Philippines Illegal?
  • Can Foreigners Own Land in the Philippines? Proceed With Caution If You Want to Stay Safe.
  • 5 Tips for a Healthy Retirement in the Philippines
  • How to Ship a Car to the Philippines
  • Top 5 Financial Tips for Expats in the Philippines
  • How to Live in the Philippines with No Money
  • Why I Ultimately Left the Philippines
  • Keep the IRS off Your Back! Advice for Americans Abroad
  • Are the Guys at RTTP Fascists?
  • I Never Chose to Live in the Philippines

Latest Comments

  • David-Paul Newton-Scott on Why I Ultimately Left the PhilippinesI speak Tagalog so to me the place just feels like an extension of the UK. Learn the language and...
  • James on Watching Sports in The PhilippinesI’m a grass roots track and field club athlete in Melbourne, Australia and am considering moving to the Philippines. For...
  • Charles geistel on How To Retire Early In The PhilippinesHello Everyone yes I enjoyed the information but one more year on my way back to the Philippines and yes...
  • Michael Ray Brown on Philippines 13a Visa Requirements ExplainedI will have to renew my 13A visa in December for the 1-year probation period. What papers if any do...
  • Jonnie on Philippines 13a Visa Requirements ExplainedWhen traveling in and out of the Philippines with my 13A visa. Is there any expiration requirement on my passport?...
  • Barak F. on New Courtesy SRRV For VeteransI can't seem to find a list of approved militaries. Might someone have a link to an official PRA list?...
  • Kevin on New Courtesy SRRV For VeteransThey charge $10 per year for a Annual ID. The $360 is in reference to dependents. A spouse and up...
  • Charlie Bamford on Why I Ultimately Left the PhilippinesHi Vic I live near Tacloban & worked remotely for a UK company for 8 years. Despite what PLDT &...
Want More Comments?

Sponsored Links

[adrotate banner=”14″]

[adrotate group=”5″]

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Tags

bacolod balikbayan box banking behavior business christmas cooking cost crime culture dating diving driving earthquakes entertainment expat expats festival fiesta filipinos food foreigner friends guide health holiday living love moving music nightlife philippines relationships resort restaurants retirement retiring romance safety shipping shopping superstitions travel visa weather

Discover the Secrets to Dating Asian Women

Popular Posts

  • Philippines Retirement Visa
  • Philippines 13a Visa Requirements Explained
  • How to Ship a Car to the Philippines
  • Working On The Building
  • New Courtesy SRRV For Veterans
  • Why I Ultimately Left the Philippines
  • Philippine Dating Scams

Weather in the Philippines

Copyright © 2012 - 2025 · Retiring to The Philippines · All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy · Terms & Conditions · Disclaimer