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71. UN Convention against Torture

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

The General Assembly,

Recalling the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from BeingSubjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or

Punishment, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 3452 (XXX) of9 December 1975,

Recalling also its resolution 32/62 of 8 December 1977, in which itrequested the Commission on Human Rights to draw up a draft conventionagainst

torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, in thelight of the principles embodied in the Declaration,

Recalling further that, in its resolution 38/119 of 16 December 1983, itrequested the Commission on Human Rights to complete, at its fortieth session,as a matter of highest priority, the drafting of such a convention, with aview to submitting a draft, including provisions for the effective

implementation of the future convention, to the General Assembly at itsthirty-ninth session,

Noting with satisfaction Commission on Human Rights resolution 1984/21 of

6 March 1984,by which the Commission decided to transmit the text of a draftconvention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or

punishment, contained in the annex to the report of the Working Group, to theGeneral Assembly for its consideration,

Desirous of achieving a more effective implementation of the existing

prohibition under international and national law of the practice of tortureand other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,

1. Expresses its appreciation for the work achieved by the Commission

on Human Rights in preparing the text of a draft convention against tortureand other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;

2. Adopts and opens for signature, ratification and accession theConvention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatmentor

Punishment contained in the annex to the present resolution;


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3. Calls upon all Governments to consider signing and ratifying theConvention as a matter of priority.

ANNEXConvention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or

Degrading Treatment or Punishment

The States Parties to this Convention,

Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in theCharter of the United Nations, recognition of the equal and inalienable rightsof all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and

peace in the world,

Recognizing that those rights derive from the inherent dignity of the

human person,

Considering the obligation of States under the Charter, in particularArticle 55, to promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rightsand fundamental freedoms,

Having regard to article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

and article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,both of which provide that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel,inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,

Having regard also to the Declaration on the Protection of All Personsfrom Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading

Treatment or Punishment, adopted by the General Assembly on 9 December1975,

Desiring to make more effective the struggle against torture and other

cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment throughout the world,

Have agreed as follows:

PART I

Article 1

1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term "torture" means anyact by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, isintentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him ora third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a

third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, orintimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on


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discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or atthe instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or

other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain orsuffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.

2. This article is without prejudice to any international instrument ornational legislation which does or may contain provisions of widerapplication.

Article 21. Each State Party shall take effective legislative, administrative,

judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under

its jurisdiction.

2. No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a

threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency,may be invoked as a justification of torture.

3. An order from a superior officer or a public authority may not beinvoked as a justification of torture.

Article 3

1. No State Party shall expel, return ("refouler") or extradite aperson to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing thathe would be in danger of being subjected to torture.

2. For the purpose of determining whether there are such grounds, thecompetent authorities shall take into account all relevant considerations

including, where applicable, the existence in the State concerned of aconsistent pattern of gross, flagrant or mass violations of human rights.

Article 4

1. Each State Party shall ensure that all acts of torture are offencesunder its criminal law. The same shall apply to an attempt to commit tortureand to an act by any person which constitutes complicity or participation in

torture.

2. Each State Party shall make these offences punishable by appropriate

penalties which take into account their grave nature.

Article 51. Each State Party shall take such measures as may be necessary to

establish its jurisdiction over the offences referred to in article 4 in thefollowing cases:


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(a) When the offences are committed in any territory under its

jurisdiction or on board a ship or aircraft registered in that State;

(b) When the alleged offender is a national of that State;

(c) When the victim is a national of that State if that State considersit appropriate.

2. Each State Party shall likewise take such measures as may benecessary to establish its jurisdiction over such offences in cases where thealleged offender is present in any territory under its jurisdiction and it

does not extradite him pursuant to article 8 to any of the States mentioned inparagraph 1 of this article.

3. This Convention does not exclude any criminal jurisdiction exercisedin accordance with internal law.

Article 6

1. Upon being satisfied, after an examination of information availableto it, that the circumstances so warrant, any State Party in whose territory a

person alleged to have committed any offence referred to in article 4 ispresent shall take him into custody or take other legal measures to ensure hispresence. The custody and other legal measures shall be as provided in thelaw of that State but may be continued only for such time as is necessary to

enable any criminal or extradition proceedings to be instituted.

2. Such State shall immediately make a preliminary inquiry into thefacts.

3. Any person in custody pursuant to paragraph 1 of this article shall

be assisted in communicating immediately with the nearest appropriaterepresentative of the State of which he is a national, or, if he is astateless person, with the representative of the State where he usually

resides.

4. When a State, pursuant to this article, has taken a person into

custody, it shall immediately notify the States referred to in article 5,paragraph 1, of the fact that such person is in custody and of thecircumstances which warrant his detention. The State which makes thepreliminary inquiry contemplated in paragraph 2 of this article shall promptly

report its findings to the said States and shall indicate whether it intendsto exercise jurisdiction.


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Article 71. The State Party in the territory under whose jurisdiction a person

alleged to have committed any offence referred to in article 4 is found shallin the cases contemplated in article 5, if it does not extradite him, submitthe case to its competent authorities for the purpose of prosecution.

2. These authorities shall take their decision in the same manner as inthe case of any ordinary offence of a serious nature under the law of thatState. In the cases referred to in article 5, paragraph 2, the standards of

evidence required for prosecution and conviction shall in no way be lessstringent than those which apply in the cases referred to in article 5,paragraph 1.

3. Any person regarding whom proceedings are brought in connection withany of the offences referred to in article 4 shall be guaranteed fair

treatment at all stages of the proceedings.

Article 81. The offences referred to in article 4 shall be deemed to be included

as extraditable offences in any extradition treaty existing between StatesParties. States Parties undertake to include such offences as extraditableoffences in every extradition treaty to be concluded between them.

2. If a State Party which makes extradition conditional on theexistence of a treaty receives a request for extradition from another StateParty with which it has no extradition treaty, it may consider this Convention

as the legal basis for extradition in respect of such offences. Extraditionshall be subject to the other conditions provided by the law of the requested

State.

3. States Parties which do not make extradition conditional on theexistence of a treaty shall recognize such offences as extraditable offences

between themselves subject to the conditions provided by the law of therequested State.

4. Such offences shall be treated, for the purpose of extradition

between States Parties, as if they had been committed not only in the place inwhich they occurred but also in the territories of the States required to

establish their jurisdiction in accordance with article 5, paragraph 1.

Article 91. States Parties shall afford one another the greatest measure of

assistance in connection with criminal proceedings brought in respect of anyof the offences referred to in article 4, including the supply of all evidence


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at their disposal necessary for the proceedings.

2. States Parties shall carry out their obligations under paragraph 1of this article in conformity with any treaties on mutual judicial assistancethat may exist between them.

Article 101. Each State Party shall ensure that education and information

regarding the prohibition against torture are fully included in the training

of law enforcement personnel, civil or military, medical personnel, publicofficials and other persons who may be involved in the custody, interrogationor treatment of any individual subjected to any form of arrest, detention or

imprisonment.

2. Each State Party shall include this prohibition in the rules or

instructions issued in regard to the duties and functions of any such persons.

Article 11Each State Party shall keep under systematic review interrogation rules,

instructions, methods and practices as well as arrangements for the custodyand treatment of persons subjected to any form of arrest, detention orimprisonment in any territory under its jurisdiction, with a view to

preventing any cases of torture.

Article 12Each State Party shall ensure that its competent authorities proceed to a

prompt and impartial investigation, wherever there is reasonable ground tobelieve that an act of torture has been committed in any territory under its

jurisdiction.Article 13

Each State Party shall ensure that any individual who alleges he has beensubjected to torture in any territory under its jurisdiction has the right to

complain to, and to have his case promptly and impartially examined by, itscompetent authorities. Steps shall be taken to ensure that the complainantand witnesses are protected against all ill-treatment or intimidation as a

consequence of his complaint or any evidence given.

Article 14

1. Each State Party shall ensure in its legal system that the victim ofan act of torture obtains redress and has an enforceable right to fair andadequate compensation, including the means for as full rehabilitation aspossible. In the event of the death of the victim as a result of an act of

torture, his dependants shall be entitled to compensation.


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2. Nothing in this article shall affect any right of the victim orother persons to compensation which may exist under national law.

Article 15Each State Party shall ensure that any statement which is established to

have been made as a result of torture shall not be invoked as evidence in anyproceedings, except against a person accused of torture as evidence that thestatement was made.

Article 161. Each State Party shall undertake to prevent in any territory under

its jurisdiction other acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or

punishment which do not amount to torture as defined in article 1, when suchacts are committed by or at the instigation of or with the consent oracquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official

capacity. In particular, the obligations contained in articles 10, 11, 12 and13 shall apply with the substitution for references to torture of referencesto other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

2. The provisions of this Convention are without prejudice to theprovisions of any other international instrument or national law whichprohibits cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment or which relates

to extradition or expulsion.PART II

Article 17

1. There shall be established a Committee against Torture (hereinafterreferred to as the Committee) which shall carry out the functions hereinafter

provided. The Committee shall consist of ten experts of high moral standingand recognized competence in the field of human rights, who shall serve intheir personal capacity. The experts shall be elected by the States Parties,consideration being given to equitable geographical distribution and to the

usefulness of the participation of some persons having legal experience.

2. The members of the Committee shall be elected by secret ballot from

a list of persons nominated by States Parties. Each State Party may nominate

one person from among its own nationals. States Parties shall bear in mindthe usefulness of nominating persons who are also members of the Human Rights

Committee established under the International Covenant on Civil and PoliticalRights and who are willing to serve on the Committee against Torture.

3. Elections of the members of the Committee shall be held at biennial

meetings of States Parties convened by the Secretary-General of the UnitedNations. At those meetings, for which two thirds of the States Parties shall


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constitute a quorum, the persons elected to the Committee shall be those whoobtain the largest number of votes and an absolute majority of the votes of

the representatives of States Parties present and voting.

4. The initial election shall be held no later than six months after

the date of the entry into force of this Convention. At least four monthsbefore the date of each election, the Secretary-General of the United Nationsshall address a letter to the States Parties inviting them to submit theirnominations within three months. The Secretary-General shall prepare a list

in alphabetical order of all persons thus nominated, indicating the StatesParties which have nominated them, and shall submit it to the States Parties.

5. The members of the Committee shall be elected for a term of fouryears. They shall be eligible for re-election if renominated. However, theterm of five of the members elected at the first election shall expire at the

end of two years; immediately after the first election the names of these fivemembers shall be chosen by lot by the chairman of the meeting referred to inparagraph 3 of this article.

6. If a member of the Committee dies or resigns or for any other causecan no longer perform his Committee duties, the State Party which nominatedhim shall appoint another expert from among its nationals to serve for the

remainder of his term, subject to the approval of the majority of the StatesParties. The approval shall be considered given unless half or more of theStates Parties respond negatively within six weeks after having been informedby the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the proposed appointment.

7. States Parties shall be responsible for the expenses of the members

of the Committee while they are in performance of Committee duties.

Article 181. The Committee shall elect its officers for a term of two years.

They may be re-elected.

2. The Committee shall establish its own rules of procedure, but these

rules shall provide, inter alia, that:

(a) Six members shall constitute a quorum;

(b) Decisions of the Committee shall be made by a majority vote of themembers present.

3. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall provide thenecessary staff and facilities for the effective performance of the functions


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of the Committee under this Convention.

4. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall convene theinitial meeting of the Committee. After its initial meeting, the Committeeshall meet at such times as shall be provided in its rules of procedure.

5. The States Parties shall be responsible for expenses incurred inconnection with the holding of meetings of the States Parties and of theCommittee, including reimbursement to the United Nations for any expenses,

such as the cost of staff and facilities, incurred by the United Nationspursuant to paragraph 3 of this article.

Article 191. The States Parties shall submit to the Committee, through the

Secretary-General of the United Nations, reports on the measures they have

taken to give effect to their undertakings under this Convention, within oneyear after the entry into force of the Convention for the State Partyconcerned. Thereafter the States Parties shall submit supplementary reportsevery four years on any new measures taken and such other reports as theCommittee may request.

2. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall transmit the

reports to all States Parties.

3. Each report shall be considered by the Committee which may make suchgeneral comments on the report as it may consider appropriate and shall

forward these to the State Party concerned. That State Party may respond withany observations it chooses to the Committee.

4. The Committee may, at its discretion, decide to include any commentsmade by it in accordance with paragraph 3 of this article, together with theobservations thereon received from the State Party concerned, in its annual

report made in accordance with article 24. If so requested by the State Partyconcerned, the Committee may also include a copy of the report submittedunder

paragraph 1 of this article.

Article 201. If the Committee receives reliable information which appears to it

to contain well-founded indications that torture is being systematicallypractised in the territory of a State Party, the Committee shall invite thatState Party to co-operate in the examination of the information and to thisend to submit observations with regard to the information concerned.

2. Taking into account any observations which may have been submitted


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by the State Party concerned, as well as any other relevant informationavailable to it, the Committee may, if it decides that this is warranted,

designate one or more of its members to make a confidential inquiry and toreport to the Committee urgently.

3. If an inquiry is made in accordance with paragraph 2 of thisarticle, the Committee shall seek the co-operation of the State Partyconcerned. In agreement with that State Party, such an inquiry may include avisit to its territory.

4. After examining the findings of its member or members submitted inaccordance with paragraph 2 of this article, the Committee shall transmit

these findings to the State Party concerned together with any comments orsuggestions which seem appropriate in view of the situation.

5. All the proceedings of the Committee referred to in paragraphs 1to 4 of this article shall be confidential, and at all stages of theproceedings the co-operation of the State Party shall be sought. After suchproceedings have been completed with regard to an inquiry made inaccordancewith paragraph 2, the Committee may, after consultations with the State Partyconcerned, decide to include a summary account of the results of the

proceedings in its annual report made in accordance with article 24.

Article 211. A State Party to this Convention may at any time declare under this

article that it recognizes the competence of the Committee to receive andconsider communications to the effect that a State Party claims that another

State Party is not fulfilling its obligations under this Convention. Suchcommunications may be received and considered according to theprocedures laiddown in this article only if submitted by a State Party which has made a

declaration recognizing in regard to itself the competence of the Committee.No communication shall be dealt with by the Committee under this article if itconcerns a State Party which has not made such a declaration.

Communications

received under this article shall be dealt with in accordance with thefollowing procedure:

(a) If a State Party considers that another State Party is not givingeffect to the provisions of this Convention, it may, by written communication,bring the matter to the attention of that State Party. Within three months

after the receipt of the communication the receiving State shall afford theState which sent the communication an explanation or any other statement in


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writing clarifying the matter, which should include, to the extent possibleand pertinent, reference to domestic procedures and remedies taken, pending

oravailable in the matter;

(b) If the matter is not adjusted to the satisfaction of both StatesParties concerned within six months after the receipt by the receiving Stateof the initial communication, either State shall have the right to refer thematter to the Committee, by notice given to the Committee and to the other

State;

(c) The Committee shall deal with a matter referred to it under this

article only after it has ascertained that all domestic remedies have beeninvoked and exhausted in the matter, in conformity with the generallyrecognized principles of international law. This shall not be the rule where

the application of the remedies is unreasonably prolonged or is unlikely tobring effective relief to the person who is the victim of the violation ofthis Convention;

(d) The Committee shall hold closed meetings when examiningcommunications under this article;

(e) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (c), the Committee shallmake available its good offices to the States Parties concerned with a view toa friendly solution of the matter on the basis of respect for the obligationsprovided for in this Convention. For this purpose, the Committee may, when

appropriate, set up an ad hoc conciliation commission;

(f) In any matter referred to it under this article, the Committee maycall upon the States Parties concerned, referred to in subparagraph (b), tosupply any relevant information;

(g) The States Parties concerned, referred to in subparagraph (b), shallhave the right to be represented when the matter is being considered by theCommittee and to make submissions orally and/or in writing;

(h) The Committee shall, within twelve months after the date of receiptof notice under subparagraph (b), submit a report:

(i) If a solution within the terms of subparagraph (e) is reached, theCommittee shall confine its report to a brief statement of the factsand of the solution reached;

(ii) If a solution within the terms of subparagraph (e) is not reached,


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the Committee shall confine its report to a brief statement of thefacts; the written submissions and record of the oral submissions

made by the States Parties concerned shall be attached to thereport.

In every matter, the report shall be communicated to the States Partiesconcerned.

2. The provisions of this article shall come into force when five

States Parties to this Convention have made declarations under paragraph 1 ofthis article. Such declarations shall be deposited by the States Parties withthe Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall transmit copies thereof

to the other States Parties. A declaration may be withdrawn at any time bynotification to the Secretary-General. Such a withdrawal shall not prejudicethe consideration of any matter which is the subject of a communication

already transmitted under this article; no further communication by any StateParty shall be received under this article after the notification ofwithdrawal of the declaration has been received by the Secretary-General,unless the State Party concerned has made a new declaration.

Article 221. A State Party to this Convention may at any time declare under this

article that it recognizes the competence of the Committee to receive andconsider communications from or on behalf of individuals subject to its

jurisdiction who claim to be victims of a violation by a State Party of theprovisions of the Convention. No communication shall be received by the

Committee if it concerns a State Party which has not made such a declaration.

2. The Committee shall consider inadmissible any communication underthis article which is anonymous or which it considers to be an abuse of theright of submission of such communications or to be incompatible with theprovisions of this Convention.

3. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2, the Committee shall bringany communications submitted to it under this article to the attention of the

State Party to this Convention which has made a declaration under paragraph

1and is alleged to be violating any provisions of the Convention. Within six

months, the receiving State shall submit to the Committee written explanationsor statements clarifying the matter and the remedy, if any, that may have beentaken by that State.

4. The Committee shall consider communications received under thisarticle in the light of all information made available to it by or on behalf


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of the individual and by the State Party concerned.

5. The Committee shall not consider any communications from anindividual under this article unless it has ascertained that:

(a) The same matter has not been, and is not being, examined underanother procedure of international investigation or settlement;

(b) The individual has exhausted all available domestic remedies; this

shall not be the rule where the application of the remedies is unreasonablyprolonged or is unlikely to bring effective relief to the person who is thevictim of the violation of this Convention.

6. The Committee shall hold closed meetings when examiningcommunications under this article.

7. The Committee shall forward its views to the State Party concernedand to the individual.

8. The provisions of this article shall come into force when fiveStates Parties to this Convention have made declarations under paragraph 1 ofthis article. Such declarations shall be deposited by the States Parties with

the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall transmit copies thereofto the other States Parties. A declaration may be withdrawn at any time bynotification to the Secretary-General. Such a withdrawal shall not prejudicethe consideration of any matter which is the subject of a communication

already transmitted under this article; no further communication by or onbehalf of an individual shall be received under this article after the

notification of withdrawal of the declaration has been received by theSecretary-General, unless the State Party has made a new declaration.

Article 23

The members of the Committee and of the ad hoc conciliation commissionswhich may be appointed under article 21, paragraph 1 (e), shall be entitled tothe facilities, privileges and immunities of experts on mission for the United

Nations as laid down in the relevant sections of the Convention on the

Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.

Article 24The Committee shall submit an annual report on its activities under this

Convention to the States Parties and to the General Assembly of the UnitedNations.

PART III


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Article 251. This Convention is open for signature by all States.

2. This Convention is subject to ratification. Instruments ofratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United

Nations.Article 26

This Convention is open to accession by all States. Accession shall beeffected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with the

Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Article 27

1. This Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day afterthe date of the deposit with the Secretary-General of the United Nations ofthe twentieth instrument of ratification or accession.

2. For each State ratifying this Convention or acceding to it after thedeposit of the twentieth instrument of ratification or accession, theConvention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date of thedeposit of its own instrument of ratification or accession.

Article 28

1. Each State may, at the time of signature or ratification of thisConvention or accession thereto, declare that it does not recognize thecompetence of the Committee provided for in article 20.

2. Any State Party having made a reservation in accordance withparagraph 1 of this article may, at any time, withdraw this reservation by

notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Article 291. Any State Party to this Convention may propose an amendment and file

it with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Secretary-Generalshall thereupon communicate the proposed amendment to the States Partieswith

a request that they notify him whether they favour a conference of States

Parties for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposal. In theevent that within four months from the date of such communication at least one

third of the States Parties favours such a conference, the Secretary-Generalshall convene the conference under the auspices of the United Nations. Anyamendment adopted by a majority of the States Parties present and voting atthe conference shall be submitted by the Secretary-General to all the States

Parties for acceptance.


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2. An amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 1 of this articleshall enter into force when two thirds of the States Parties to this

Convention have notified the Secretary-General of the United Nations that theyhave accepted it in accordance with their respective constitutional processes.

3. When amendments enter into force, they shall be binding on thoseStates Parties which have accepted them, other States Parties still beingbound by the provisions of this Convention and any earlier amendments whichthey have accepted.

Article 301. Any dispute between two or more States Parties concerning the

interpretation or application of this Convention which cannot be settledthrough negotiation shall, at the request of one of them, be submitted toarbitration. If within six months from the date of the request for

arbitration the Parties are unable to agree on the organization of thearbitration, any one of those Parties may refer the dispute to theInternational Court of Justice by request in conformity with the Statute ofthe Court.

2. Each State may, at the time of signature or ratification of thisConvention or accession thereto, declare that it does not consider itself

bound by paragraph 1 of this article. The other States Parties shall not bebound by paragraph 1 of this article with respect to any State Party havingmade such a reservation.

3. Any State Party having made a reservation in accordance withparagraph 2 of this article may at any time withdraw this reservation by

notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Article 311. A State Party may denounce this Convention by written notification

to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Denunciation becomeseffective one year after the date of receipt of the notification by theSecretary-General.

2. Such a denunciation shall not have the effect of releasing the StateParty from its obligations under this Convention in regard to any act or

omission which occurs prior to the date at which the denunciation becomeseffective, nor shall denunciation prejudice in any way the continuedconsideration of any matter which is already under consideration by theCommittee prior to the date at which the denunciation becomes effective.

3. Following the date at which the denunciation of a State Party


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becomes effective, the Committee shall not commence consideration of anynew

matter regarding that State.

Article 32

The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform all StatesMembers of the United Nations and all States which have signed this Conventionor acceded to it of the following:

(a) Signatures, ratifications and accessions under articles 25 and 26;

(b) The date of entry into force of this Convention under article 27 and

the date of the entry into force of any amendments under article 29;

(c) Denunciations under article 31.

Article 331. This Convention, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French,

Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with theSecretary- General of the United Nations.

2. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall transmit certified

copies of this Convention to all States.

72.) REPUBLIC ACT N0. 9745

AN ACT PENALIZING TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN AND DEGRADING

TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in

Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Ad shall be known as the "Anti-Torture Act of 2009".

Section 2. Statement of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State:

(a) To value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for

human rights;

(b) To ensure that the human rights of all persons, including suspects, detainees

and prisoners are respected at all times; and that no person placed under


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investigation or held in custody of any person in authority or, agent of a person

authority shall be subjected to physical, psychological or mental harm, force,

violence, threat or intimidation or any act that impairs his/her free wi11 or in any

manner demeans or degrades human dignity;

(c) To ensure that secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado or other

similar forms of detention, where torture may be carried out with impunity, are

prohibited; and

(d) To fully adhere to the principles and standards on the absolute

condemnation and prohibition of torture as provided for in the 1987 Philippine

Constitution; various international instruments to which the Philippines is a State

party such as, but not limited to, the International Covenant on Civil and

Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women(CEDA W) and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or

Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT); and all other relevant international

human rights instruments to which the Philippines is a signatory.

Section 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:

(a) "Torture" refers to an act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical

or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining

from him/her or a third person information or a confession; punishing him/her for

an act he/she or a third person has committed or is suspected of havingcommitted; or intimidating or coercing him/her or a third person; or for any

reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is

inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a

person in authority or agent of a person in authority. It does not include pain or

Buffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.

(b) "Other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment" refers to a

deliberate and aggravated treatment or punishment not enumerated under

Section 4 of this Act, inflicted by a person in authority or agent of a person in

authority against a person under his/her custody, which attains a level of severity

causing suffering, gross humiliation or debasement to the latter.

(c) "Victim" refers to the person subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman and

degrading treatment or punishment as defined above and any individual who


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has suffered harm as a result of any act(s) of torture, or other cruel, inhuman and

degrading treatment or punishment.

(d) "Order of Battle" refers to any document or determination made by the

military, police or any law enforcement agency of the government, listing the

names of persons and organizations that it perceives to be enemies of the State

and that it considers as legitimate targets as combatants that it could deal with,

through the use of means allowed by domestic and international law.

Section 4. Acts of Torture. - For purposes of this Act, torture shall include, but not

be limited to, the following:

(a) Physical torture is a form of treatment or punishment inflicted by a person in

authority or agent of a person in authority upon another in his/her custody that

causes severe pain, exhaustion, disability or dysfunction of one or more parts of

the body, such as:

(1) Systematic beating, headbanging, punching, kicking, striking with truncheon

or rifle butt or other similar objects, and jumping on the stomach;

(2) Food deprivation or forcible feeding with spoiled food, animal or human

excreta and other stuff or substances not normally eaten;

(3) Electric shock;

(4) Cigarette burning; burning by electrically heated rods, hot oil, acid; by therubbing of pepper or other chemical substances on mucous membranes, or

acids or spices directly on the wound(s);

(5) The submersion of the head in water or water polluted with excrement, urine,

vomit and/or blood until the brink of suffocation;

(6) Being tied or forced to assume fixed and stressful bodily position;

(7) Rape and sexual abuse, including the insertion of foreign objects into the sex

organ or rectum, or electrical torture of the genitals;

(8) Mutilation or amputation of the essential parts of the body such as the

genitalia, ear, tongue, etc.;

(9) Dental torture or the forced extraction of the teeth;

(10) Pulling out of fingernails;


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(11) Harmful exposure to the elements such as sunlight and extreme cold;

(12) The use of plastic bag and other materials placed over the head to the

point of asphyxiation;

(13) The use of psychoactive drugs to change the perception, memory.alertness or will of a person, such as:

(i) The administration or drugs to induce confession and/or reduce mental

competency; or

(ii) The use of drugs to induce extreme pain or certain symptoms of a disease;

and

(14) Other analogous acts of physical torture; and

(b) "Mental/Psychological Torture" refers to acts committed by a person in

authority or agent of a person in authority which are calculated to affect or

confuse the mind and/or undermine a person's dignity and morale, such as:

(1) Blindfolding;

(2) Threatening a person(s) or his/fher relative(s) with bodily harm, execution or

other wrongful acts;

(3) Confinement in solitary cells or secret detention places;

(4) Prolonged interrogation;

(5) Preparing a prisoner for a "show trial", public display or public humiliation of a

detainee or prisoner;

(6) Causing unscheduled transfer of a person deprived of liberty from one place

to another, creating the belief that he/she shall be summarily executed;

(7) Maltreating a member/s of a person's family;

(8) Causing the torture sessions to be witnessed by the person's family, relativesor any third party;

(9) Denial of sleep/rest;


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(10) Shame infliction such as stripping the person naked, parading him/her in

public places, shaving the victim's head or putting marks on his/her body

against his/her will;

(11) Deliberately prohibiting the victim to communicate with any member of

his/her family; and

(12) Other analogous acts of mental/psychological torture.

Section 5. Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. -

Other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment refers to a

deliberate and aggravated treatment or punishment not enumerated under

Section 4 of this Act, inflicted by a person in authority or agent of a person in

authority against another person in custody, which attains a level of severity

sufficient to cause suffering, gross humiliation or debasement to the latter. The

assessment of the level of severity shall depend on all the circumstances of the

case, including the duration of the treatment or punishment, its physical and

mental effects and, in some cases, the sex, religion, age and state of health of

the victim.

Section 6. Freedom from Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading

Treatment or Punishment, An Absolute Bight. - Torture and other cruel, inhuman

and degrading treatment or punishment as criminal acts shall apply to all

circumstances. A state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability, or

any other public emergency, or a document or any determination comprisingan "order of battle" shall not and can never be invoked as a justification for

torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.

Section 7. Prohibited Detention. - Secret detention places, solitary confinement,

incommunicado or other similar forms of detention, where torture may be

carried out with impunity. Are hereby prohibited.

In which case, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the

Philippines (AFP) and other law enforcement. agencies concerned shall make

an updated list of all detention centers and facilities under their respective jurisdictions with the corresponding data on the prisoners or detainees

incarcerated or detained therein such as, among others, names, date of arrest

and incarceration, and the crime or offense committed. This list shall be made

available to the public at all times, with a copy of the complete list available at

the respective national headquarters of the PNP and AFP. A copy of the


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complete list shall likewise be submitted by the PNP, AFP and all other law

enforcement agencies to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), such list to be

periodically updated, by the same agencies, within the first five (5) days of every

month at the minimum. Every regional office of the PNP, AFP and other law

enforcement agencies shall also maintain a similar list far all detainees anddetention facilities within their respective areas, and shall make the same

available to the public at all times at their respective regional headquarters,

and submit a copy. updated in the same manner provided above, to the

respective regional offices of the CHR.

Section 8. Applicability of the Exclusionary Rule; Exception. - Any confession,

admission or statement obtained as a result of torture shall be inadmissible in

evidence in any proceedings, except if the same is used as evidence against a

person or persons accused of committing torture.

Section 9. Institutional Protection of Torture Victims and Other Persons Involved. -

A victim of torture shall have the following rights in the institution of a criminal

complaint for torture:

(a) To have a prompt and an impartial investigation by the CHR and by

agencies of government concerned such as the Department of Justice (DOJ),

the Public Attorney's Office (PAO), the PNP, the National Bureau of Investigation

(NBI) and the AFP. A prompt investigation shall mean a maximum period of sixty

(60) working days from the time a complaint for torture is filed within which an

investigation report and/or resolution shall be completed and made available.

An appeal whenever available shall be resolved within the same period

prescribed herein,

(b) To have sufficient government protection against all forms of harassment;

threat and/or intimidation as a consequence of the filing of said complaint or

the presentation of evidence therefor. In which case, the State through its

appropriate agencies shall afford security in order to ensure his/her safety and

all other persons involved in the investigation and prosecution such as, but not

limited to, his/her lawyer, witnesses and relatives; and

(c) To be accorded sufficient protection in the manner by which he/she testifies

and presents evidence in any fora in order to avoid further trauma.

Section 10. Disposition of Writs of Habeas Corpus, Amparo and Habeas Data

Proceedings and Compliance with a Judicial 07'der. - A writ of habeas corpus or


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writ of amparo or writ of habeas data proceeding, if any, filed on behalf of the

victim of torture or other cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment or

punishment shall be disposed of expeditiously and any order of release by virtue

thereof, or other appropriate order of a court relative thereto, shall be executed

or complied with immediately.

Section 11. Assistance in Filing a Complaint. - The CHR and the PAO shall render

legal assistance in the investigation and monitoring and/or filing of the

complaint for a person who suffers torture and other cruel, inhuman and

degrading treatment or punishment, or for any interested party thereto.

The victim or interested party may also seek legal assistance from the Barangay

Human Rights Action Center (BRRAC) nearest him/her as well as from human

rights nongovernment organizations (NGOs).

Section 12. Right to' Physical, Medical and Psychological Examination. - Before

and after interrogation, every person arrested, detained or under custodial

investigation shall have the right to he informed of his/her right to demand

physical examination by an independent and competent doctor of his/her own

choice. If such person cannot afford the services of his/her own doctor, he/she

shall he provided by the State with a competent and independent doctor to

conduct physical examination. The State shall endeavor to provide the victim

with psychological evaluation if available under the circumstances. If the person

arrested is a female, she shall be attended to preferably by a female doctor.

Furthermore, any person arrested, detained or under custodial investigation,

including his/her immediate family, shall have the right to immediate access to

proper and adequate medical treatment. The physical examination and/or

psychological evaluation of the victim shall be contained in a medical report,

duly signed by the attending physician, which shall include in detail his/her

medical history and findings, and which shall he attached to the custodial

investigation report. Such report shall be considered a public document.

Following applicable protocol agreed upon by agencies tasked to conduct

physical, psychological and mental examinations, the medical reports shall,among others, include:

(a) The name, age and address of the patient or victim;

(b) The name and address of the nearest kin of the patient or victim;


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(c) The name and address of the person who brought the patient or victim for

physical, psychological and mental examination, and/or medical treatment;

(d) The nature and probable cause of the patient or victim's injury, pain and

disease and/or trauma;

(e) The approximate time and date when the injury, pain, disease and/or

trauma was/were sustained;

(f) The place where the injury, pain, disease and/or trauma was/were sustained;

(g) The time, date and nature of treatment necessary; and

(h) The diagnosis, the prognosis and/or disposition of the patient.

Any person who does not wish to avail of the rights under this pr


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cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment but failed to prevent or

investigate allegations of such act, whether deliberately or due to negligence

shall also be l iable as principals.

Any public officer or employee shall be liable as an accessory if he/she has

knowledge that torture or other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or

punishment is being committed and without having participated therein, either

as principal or accomplice, takes part subsequent to its commission in any of the

following manner:

(a) By themselves profiting from or assisting the offender to profit from the effects

of the act of torture or other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or

punishment;

(b) By concealing the act of torture or other cruel, inhuman and degrading

treatment or punishment and/or destroying the effects or instruments thereof in

order to prevent its discovery; or(c) By harboring, concealing or assisting m the

escape of the principal/s in the act of torture or other cruel, inhuman and

degrading treatment or punishment: Provided, That the accessory acts are

done with the abuse of the official's public functions.

Section 14. Penalties. - (a) The penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed

upon the perpetrators of the following acts:

(1) Torture resulting in the death of any person;

(2) Torture resulting in mutilation;

(3) Torture with rape;

(4) Torture with other forms of sexual abuse and, in consequence of torture, the

victim shall have become insane, imbecile, impotent, blind or maimed for life;

and

(5) Torture committed against children.

(b) The penalty of reclusion temporal shall be imposed on those who commit

any act of mental/psychological torture resulting in insanity, complete or partial

amnesia, fear of becoming insane or suicidal tendencies of the victim due to

guilt, worthlessness or shame.


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(c) The penalty of prision correccional shall be imposed on those who commit

any act of torture resulting in psychological, mental and emotional harm other

than those described 1n paragraph (b) of this section. '

(d) The penalty of prision mayor in its medium and maximum periods shall be

imposed if, in consequence of torture, the victim shall have lost the power of

speech or the power to hear or to smell; or shall have lost an eye, a hand, a

foot, an arm or a leg; or shall have lost the use of any such member; Or shall

have become permanently incapacitated for labor.

(e) The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum and medium periods shall be

imposed if, in consequence of torture, the victim shall have become deformed

or shall have lost any part of his/her body other than those aforecited, or shall

have lost the use thereof, or shall have been ill or incapacitated for labor for a

period of more than ninety (90) days.

(f) The penalty of prision correccional in its maximum period to prision mayor in

its minimum period shall be imposed if, in consequence of torture, the victim

shall have been ill or incapacitated for labor for mare than thirty (30) days but

not more than ninety (90) days.

(g) The penalty of prision correccional in its minimum and medium period shall

be imposed if, in consequence of torture, the victim shall have been ill or

incapacitated for labor for thirty (30) days or less.

(h) The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed for acts constituting cruel,

inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment as defined in Section 5 of this

Act.

(i) The penalty of prision correccional shall be imposed upon those who

establish, operate and maintain secret detention places and/or effect or cause

to effect solitary confinement, incommunicado or other similar forms of

prohibited detention as provided in Section 7 of this Act where torture may be

carried out with impunity.

(j) The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed upon the responsible officers or

personnel of the AFP, the PNP and other law enforcement agencies for failure to

perform his/her duty to maintain, submit or make available to the public an

updated list of detention centers and facilities with the corresponding data on

the prisoners or detainees incarcerated or detained therein, pursuant to Section

7 of this Act.


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Section 15. Torture as a Separate and Independent Crime. - Torture as a crime

shall not absorb or shall not be absorbed by any other crime or felony

committed as a consequence, or as a means in the conduct or commission

thereof. In which case, torture shall be treated as a separate and independent

criminal act whose penalties shall be imposable without prejudice to any othercriminal liability provided for by domestic and international laws.

Section 16. Exclusion from the Coverage of Special Amnesty Law. - In order not

to depreciate the crime of torture, persons who have committed any act of

torture shall not benefit from any special amnesty law or similar measures that

will have the effect of exempting them from any criminal proceedings and

sanctions.

Section 17. Applicability of Refouler. - No person shall be expelled, returned or

extradited to another State where there are substantial grounds to believe thatsuch person shall be in danger of being subjected to torture. For the purposes of

determining whether such grounds exist, the Secretary of the Department of

Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Secretary of the DOJ, in coordination with the

Chairperson of the CHR, shall take into account all relevant considerations

including, where applicable and not limited to, the existence in the requesting

State of a consistent pattern of gross, flagrant or mass violations of human rights.

Section 18. Compensation to Victims of Torture. - Any person who has suffered

torture shall have the right to claim for compensation as provided for under

Republic Act No. 7309: Provided, That in no case shall compensation be any

lower than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00). Victims of torture shall also have the

right to claim for compensation from such other financial relief programs that

may be made available to him/her under existing law and rules and regulations.

Section 19. Formulation of a Rehabilitation Program. - Within one (1) year from

the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD), the DOJ and the Department of Health (DOH) and such other

concerned government agencies, and human rights organizations shall

formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation program for victims of torture andtheir families. The DSWD, the DOJ and thc DOH shall also call on human rights

nongovernment organizations duly recognized by the government to actively

participate in the formulation of such program that shall provide for the physical,

mental, social, psychological healing and development of victims of torture and

their families. Toward the attainment of restorative justice, a parallel

rehabilitation program for persons who have committed torture and other cruel,


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inhuman and degrading punishment shall likewise be formulated by the same

agencies.

Section 20. Monitoring of Compliance with this Act. - An Oversight Committee is

hereby created to periodically oversee the implementation of this Act. The

Committee shall be headed by a Commissioner of the CRR, with the following as

members: the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human

Rights, the respective Chairpersons of the House of Representatives' Committees

on Justice and Human Rights, and the Minority Leaders of both houses or their

respective representatives in the minority.

Section 21. Education and Information Campaign. - The CHR, the DOJ, the

Department of National Defense (DND), the Department of the Interior and

Local Government (DILG) and such other concerned parties in both the public

and private sectors shall ensure that education and information regardingprohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment

or punishment shall be fully included in the training of law enforcement

personnel, civil or military, medical personnel, public officials and other persons

who may be involved in the custody, interrogation or treatment of any

individual subjected to any form of arrest, detention or imprisonment. The

Department of Education (DepED) and the Commission on Higher Education

(CHED) shall also ensure the integration of human rights education courses in all

primary, secondary and tertiary level academic institutions nationwide.

Section 22. Applicability of the Revised Penal Code. - The provisions of the

Revised Penal Code insofar as they are applicable shall be suppletory to this

Act. Moreover, if the commission of any crime punishable under Title Eight

(Crimes Against Persons) and Title Nine (Crimes Against Personal Liberty and

Security) of the Revised Penal Code is attended by any of the acts constituting

torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment as

defined herein, the penalty to be imposed shall be in its maximum period.

Section 23. Appropriations. - The amount of Five mill ion pesos (Php5,000,000.00) is

hereby appropriated to the CHR for the initial implementation of tills Act.Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of

this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOJ and the CHR, with

the active participation of human rights nongovernmental organizations, shall

promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of tills Act.


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They shall also ensure the full dissemination of such rules and regulations to all

officers and members of various law enforcement agencies.

Section 25. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in

full force and effect.

Section 26. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules and

regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby

repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 27. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,

73.

Republic of the Philippines

Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila

Eighth Congress

Republic Act No. 7438 April 27, 1992

AN ACT DEFINING CERTAIN RIGHTS OF PERSON ARRESTED, DETAINED OR UNDER

CUSTODIAL INVESTIGATION AS WELL AS THE DUTIES OF THE ARRESTING, DETAINING

AND INVESTIGATING OFFICERS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS

THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in

Congress assembled::

Section 1. Statement of Policy. – It is the policy of the Senate to value the dignityof every human being and guarantee full respect for human rights.


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Section 2. Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation;

Duties of Public Officers. –

(a) Any person arrested detained or under custodial investigation shall atall times be assisted by counsel.

(b) Any public officer or employee, or anyone acting under his order or hisplace, who arrests, detains or investigates any person for the commissionof an offense shall inform the latter, in a language known to andunderstood by him, of his rights to remain silent and to have competentand independent counsel, preferably of his own choice, who shall at alltimes be allowed to confer privately with the person arrested, detained or

under custodial investigation. If such person cannot afford the services ofhis own counsel, he must be provided with a competent andindependent counsel by the investigating officer.lawphi1Ÿ

(c) The custodial investigation report shall be reduced to writing by theinvestigating officer, provided that before such report is signed, or

thumbmarked if the person arrested or detained does not know how toread and write, it shall be read and adequately explained to him by hiscounsel or by the assisting counsel provided by the investigating officer inthe language or dialect known to such arrested or detained person,

otherwise, such investigation report shall be null and void and of no effectwhatsoever.

(d) Any extrajudicial confession made by a person arrested, detained or

under custodial investigation shall be in writing and signed by such personin the presence of his counsel or in the latter's absence, upon a valid

waiver, and in the presence of any of the parents, elder brothers andsisters, his spouse, the municipal mayor, the municipal judge, districtschool supervisor, or priest or minister of the gospel as chosen by him;otherwise, such extrajudicial confession shall be inadmissible as evidencein any proceeding.

(e) Any waiver by a person arrested or detained under the provisions ofArticle 125 of the Revised Penal Code, or under custodial investigation,

shall be in writing and signed by such person in the presence of hiscounsel; otherwise the waiver shall be null and void and of no effect.

(f) Any person arrested or detained or under custodial investigation shallbe allowed visits by or conferences with any member of his immediatefamily, or any medical doctor or priest or religious minister chosen by himor by any member of his immediate family or by his counsel, or by anynational non-governmental organization duly accredited by the


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Commission on Human Rights of by any international non-governmentalorganization duly accredited by the Office of the President. The person's

"immediate family" shall include his or her spouse, fiancé or fiancée,parent or child, brother or sister, grandparent or grandchild, uncle or aunt,nephew or niece, and guardian or ward.

As used in this Act, "custodial investigation" shall include the practice of issuingan "invitation" to a person who is investigated in connection with an offense he issuspected to have committed, without prejudice to the liability of the "inviting"

officer for any violation of law.

Section 3. Assisting Counsel. – Assisting counsel is any lawyer, except those

directly affected by the case, those charged with conducting preliminaryinvestigation or those charged with the prosecution of crimes.

The assisting counsel other than the government lawyers shall be entitled to thefollowing fees;

(a) The amount of One hundred fifty pesos (P150.00) if the suspectedperson is chargeable with light felonies;lawphi1©alf

(b) The amount of Two hundred fifty pesos (P250.00) if the suspectedperson is chargeable with less grave or grave felonies;

(c) The amount of Three hundred fifty pesos (P350.00) if the suspected

person is chargeable with a capital offense.

The fee for the assisting counsel shall be paid by the city or municipality

where the custodial investigation is conducted, provided that if themunicipality of city cannot pay such fee, the province comprising suchmunicipality or city shall pay the fee: Provided, That the Municipal or CityTreasurer must certify that no funds are available to pay the fees ofassisting counsel before the province pays said fees.

In the absence of any lawyer, no custodial investigation shall be conductedand the suspected person can only be detained by the investigating officer inaccordance with the provisions of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code.

Section 4. Penalty Clause. – (a) Any arresting public officer or employee, or any

investigating officer, who fails to inform any person arrested, detained or undercustodial investigation of his right to remain silent and to have competent andindependent counsel preferably of his own choice, shall suffer a fine of Sixthousand pesos (P6,000.00) or a penalty of imprisonment of not less than eight(8) years but not more than ten (10) years, or both. The penalty of perpetual


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absolute disqualification shall also be imposed upon the investigating officerwho has been previously convicted of a similar offense.

The same penalties shall be imposed upon a public officer or employee,or anyone acting upon orders of such investigating officer or in his place,

who fails to provide a competent and independent counsel to a personarrested, detained or under custodial investigation for the commission ofan offense if the latter cannot afford the services of his own counsel.

(b) Any person who obstructs, prevents or prohibits any lawyer, anymember of the immediate family of a person arrested, detained or undercustodial investigation, or any medical doctor or priest or religious minister

chosen by him or by any member of his immediate family or by hiscounsel, from visiting and conferring privately with him, or from examiningand treating him, or from ministering to his spiritual needs, at any hour of

the day or, in urgent cases, of the night shall suffer the penalty ofimprisonment of not less than four (4) years nor more than six (6) years,and a fine of four thousand pesos (P4,000.00).lawphi1©

The provisions of the above Section notwithstanding, any security officer withcustodial responsibility over any detainee or prisoner may undertake suchreasonable measures as may be necessary to secure his safety and prevent his

escape.

Section 5. Repealing Clause. – Republic Act No. No. 857, as amended, is hereby

repealed. Other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders or rules and

regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act arerepealed or modified accordingly.

Section 6. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following itspublication in the Official Gazette or in any daily newspapers of general

circulation in the Philippines.

Approved: April 27, 1992.

74. 74. Inquest Procedures (DOJ Circular No. 61, 1993)

Evidence Needed for an Inquest Proceedings

SECTION 1. Concept. —

Inquest is an informal and summary investigation con-ducted by public

prosecutor in criminal cases involving persons arrested and detained without the

benefit of a warrant of arrest issued by the court for the purpose of deter-mining


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whether or not said persons should remain under custody and correspondingly

be charged in court.

SEC. 2. Designation of Inquest Officers. —

The City or Provincial Prosecutor shall designate the Prosecutors assigned toinquest duties and shall furnish the Philippine National Police (PNP) a list of their

names and their schedule of assignments. If, however, there is only one

Prosecutor in the area, all inquest cases shall be referred to him for appropriate

action. Unless otherwise directed by the City or Provincial Prosecutor, those

assigned to inquest duties shall discharge their functions during the hours of their

designated assignments and only at the police stations/headquarters of the PNP

in order to expedite and facilitate the disposition of inquest cases.

SEC. 3. Commencement and Termination of Inquest. —

The inquest proceedings shall be considered commenced upon receipt by the

Inquest Officer from the law enforcement authorities of the complaint/referral

documents which should include:

a. the affidavit of arrest;

b. the investigation report;

c. the statement of the complainant and witnesses;

d. other supporting evidence gathered by the police in the course of the

latter’s investigation of the criminal incident involving the arrested or

detained person. The inquest Officer shall, as far as practicable, cause the

affidavit of arrest and statements/affidavits of the complainant and the

witnesses to be subscribed and sworn to before him by the arresting

officer and the affiants. The inquest proceedings must be terminated

within the period prescribed under the provisions of Article 125 of the

Revised Penal Code, as amended. *

SEC. 4.Particular Documents Required in Specific Cases. —

The submission, presentation of the documents listed herein below should as far

as practicable, be required in the following cases by the Inquest Officer.

Violation of the Anti-Fencing Law (PD 1612)


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a. a list/inventory of the articles and items subject of the offense;

b. statement of their respective value

Illegal Possession of Explosives (PD 1866)

a. chemistry report duly signed by the forensic chemist

b. photograph of the explosives, if readily available.

Violation of the Fisheries Law (PD 704) (now RA 8550)

a. photograph of the confiscated fish, if readily available;

b. certification of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources;

Violation of the Forestry Law (PD 705)

a. scale sheets containing the volume and species of the forest products

confiscated, number of pieces and other important details such as

estimated value of the products confiscated;

b. certification of Department of Environment and Natural

Resources/Bureau of Forest Management;

c. seizure receipt. The submission of the foregoing documents shall no

absolutely be required if there are other forms of evidence submitted

which will sufficiently establish the facts sought to be proved by theforegoing documents.

SEC. 5. Incomplete documents. —

When the documents presented are not complete to establish probable cause,

the Inquest Officer shall direct the law enforcement agency to submit the

required evidence within the period prescribed under the provisions of Article

125 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended; otherwise, the Inquest Officer shall

order the release of the detained person and, where the inquest is conducted

outside of office hours, direct the law enforcement agency concerned to file

the case with the City or Provincial Prosecutor for appropriate action.

SEC. 6. Presence of the detained person. —


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The presence of the detained person who is under custody shall be ensured

during the proceedings. However, the production of the detained person

before the Inquest Officer may be dispensed with in the following cases:

a. if he is confined in a hospital;

b. if he is detained in a place under maximum security;

c. if production of the detained person involve security risks; ord. if the

presence of the detained person is not feasible by reason of age, health,

sex andother similar factors.The absence of the detained person by

reason of any of the foregoing factors must be noted bythe Inquest

Officer and reflected in the record of the case.

SEC. 7. Charges and counter-charges. —

All charges and counter-charges arising from the same incident shall, as far as

practicable, be consolidated and inquested jointly to avoid contradictory or

inconsistent dispositions.

SEC. 8. Initial duty of the inquest officer. —

The Inquest Officer must first deter-mine if the arrest of the detained person was

made in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (a) and(b) of Section 5,

Rule 113 of the 1985 Rules on Criminal Procedure, as amended, which provide

that arrests without a warrant may be effected:

a. when, in the presence of the arresting officer, the person to be arrested

has committed, is actually committing, or is attempting to commit an

offense;

b. when an offense has in fact just been committed, and the arresting

officer has personal knowledge of facts indicating that the person to be

arrested has committed it. For this purpose, the Inquest Officer may

summarily examine the arresting officers on the circumstances surrounding

the arrest or apprehension of the detained per-son.

SEC. 9. Where arrest not properly effected. —

Should the Inquest Officer find that the arrest was not made in accordance with

the Rules, he shall:

a. recommend the release of the person arrested or detained;


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b. note down the disposition of the referral document;

c. prepare a brief memorandum indicating the reasons for the action

taken;

d. forward the same, together with the record of the case, to the City orProvincial Prosecutor for appropriate action. Where the recommendation

for the release of the detained person is approved by the City or

Provincial Prosecutor but the evidence on hand warrant the conduct of a

regular preliminary investigation, the order of release shall be served on

the officer having custody of said detainee and shall direct the said

officer to serve upon the detainee the subpoena or notice of preliminary

investigation, together with the copies of the charge sheet or complaint,

affidavits or sworn statements of the complainant and his witnesses and

other supporting evidence.

SEC. 10. Where the arrest property effected. —

Should the Inquest Officer find that the arrest was properly effected, the

detained person should be asked if he desires to avail himself of a preliminary

investigation, if he does, he shall be made to execute a waiver of the provisions

of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, with the assistance of a

lawyer and, in case of non-availability of a lawyer, a responsible person of his

choice. The preliminary investigation may be conducted by the Inquest Officer

himself or by any other Assistant Prosecutor to whom the case may be assignedby the City or Provincial Prosecutor, which investigation shall be terminated

within fifteen (15) days from its inception.

SEC. 11. Inquest Proper . —

Where the detained person does not opt for a preliminary investigation or

otherwise refuses to execute the required waiver, the Inquest Officer shall

proceed with the inquest by examining the sworn statements/affidavits of the

complainant and the witnesses and other supporting evidence submitted to

him. If necessary, the Inquest Officer may require the presence of thecomplainant and witnesses and subject them to an informal and summary

investigation or examination for purposes of determining the existence of

probable cause.

SEC. 12. Meaning of probable cause. —


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Probable cause exists when the evidence submitted to the Inquest Officer

engenders a well-founded belief that a crime has been committed and that the

arrested or detained person is probably guilty thereof.

SEC. 13. Presence of probable cause. —

If the Inquest Officer finds that probable cause exists, he shall forthwith prepare

the corresponding complaint/information with the recommendation that the

same be filed in court. The complaint/information shall indicate the offense

committed and the amount of bail recommended, if bailable. Thereafter, the

record of the case, together with the prepared com-plaint/information, shall be

forwarded to the City or Provincial Prosecutor for appropriate action. The

complaint/information may be filed by the Inquest Officer himself or by any

other Assistant Prosecutor to whom the case may be assigned by the City or

Provincial Prosecutor.

SEC. 14. Contents of information. —

The information shall, among others, contain:

a. a certification by the filing Prosecutor that he is filing the same in

accordance with the provisions of Section 7, Rule 112 of the 1985 Rules on

Criminal Procedure, as amended, in cases cognizable by the Regional

Trial Court;

b. the full name and alias, if any, and address of the accused;

c. the place where the accused is actually detained;

d. the full names and addresses of the complainant and witnesses;

e. a detailed description of the recovered item, if any;

f. the full name and address of the evidence custodian;

g. the age and date of birth of the complainant or the accused, if

eighteen (19)years of age or below; and

h. the full names and addresses of the parents, custodians or guardians of

the minor complainant or accused, as the case may be.

SEC. 15. Absence of probable cause. —

If the Inquest Officer finds no probable cause, he shall:


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a. recommend the release of the arrested or detained person;

b. note down his disposition on the referral document

c. prepare a brief memorandum indicating the reasons for the action

taken;

d. forthwith forward the record of the case to the City or Provincial

Prosecutor for appropriate action. If the recommendation of the Inquest

Officer for the release of the arrested or detained person is approved, the

order of release shall be served on the officer having custody of the said

detainee. Should the City or Provincial Prosecutor disapprove the

recommendation of release, the arrested or detained person shall remain

under custody, and the corresponding complaint/information shall be

filed by the City or Provincial Prosecutor or by any Assistant Prosecutor to

whom the case may be assigned.

SEC. 16. Presence at the crime scene. —

Whenever a dead body is found and there is reason to believe that the death

resulted from foul play, or from the unlawful acts or omissions of other persons

and such fact has been brought to his attention, the Inquest Officer shall:

a. forthwith proceed to the crime scene or place of discovery of the dead

person;

b. cause an immediate autopsy to be conducted by the appropriate

medico-legal officer in the locality or the PNP medico-legal division or the

NBI medico-legal office, as the case may be;

c. direct the police investigator to cause the taking of photographs of the

crime scene or place of discovery of the dead body;

d. supervise the investigation to be conducted by the police authorities as

well as the recovery of all articles and pieces of evidence found thereat

and see to it that the same are safeguarded and the chain of thecustody thereof properly recorded;

e. submit a written report of his finding to the City or Provincial Prosecutor

for appropriate action.

SEC. 17. Sandiganbayan cases. —


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Should any complaint cognizable by the Sandiganbayan be referred to an

Inquest Officer for investigation, the latter shall, after conducting the

corresponding inquest proceeding, forthwith forward the complete record to

the City or Provincial Prosecutor for appropriate action.

75. People v. Galit

Facts:

Francisco Galit was picked up by the Montalban police on suspicion for the

killing of Mrs. Natividad Francisco, a widow. After he was taken by the

Montalban police, the case was referred to the National Bureau of Investigation

in view of the alleged limited facilities of the Montalban police station.

Accordingly, Galit was brought to the NBI where he was investigated by a teamheaded by NBI Agent Carlos Flores. The following day, Galit voluntarily executed

a Salaysay admitting participation in the commission of the crime, also

implicating Juling and PablingDulay as his companions in its commission. As a

result, he was charged with the crime of Robbery with Homicide before the

Circuit Trial Court of Pasig. During trial, a witness stated that he overheard Galit

quarrelling with his wife about his intention to leave their residence immediately

because he and his two companions robbed and killed Natividad Fernando. On

the other hand, Galit denied participation in the commission of the crime and

also assailed the admissibility of the extrajudicial confession extracted from himthrough torture, force and intimidation. He recounted that he was mauled and

tortured by the NBI officers by covering his face with a rag and pushing his face

into a toilet bowl full of human waste. He had no counsel when the confession

was extracted from him. He admitted what the investigating officers wantedhim

to admit and he signed the confession they prepared. Later, against his will, he

posed for pictures as directed by his investigators, purporting it to be a re-

enactment. This notwithstanding, the trial court found Galit guilty and sentenced

him to suffer the death penalty.Issue: W/N Francisco Galit should be acquitted

on the ground that his extrajudicial confession is inadmissible.Ruling: YES. Theevidence presented by the prosecution does not support a conviction. In fact,

the findings of thetrial court relative to the acts attributed to the accused are

not supported by competent evidence. There were noeyewitnesses, no

property recovered from the accused, no state witnesses, and not even

fingerprints of the accused atthe scene of the crime. The only evidence against

the accused is his alleged confession. The alleged confession and thepictures of


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the supposed re-enactment are inadmissible as evidence because they were

obtained in a manner contrary to law. Galit acquitted.

Issue: How is the inadmissibility of the extrajudicial confession shown?

Ruling: Through the statement itself. The first question was a very long Tagalogquestion followed by a monosyllabic answer. It does not satisfy the requirements

of the law that the accused be informed of his rights under the Constitution and

our laws. Instead, there should be several short and clear questions and every

right explained in simple words in a dialect or language known to the person

under investigation. The accused is from Samar and there is no showing that he

understands Tagalog. Moreover, at the time of his arrest, the accused was not

permitted to communicate with his lawyer, a relative, or a friend. In fact, his

sisters and other relatives did not know that he had been brought to the NBI for

investigation and it was only about two weeks after he had executedthe Salaysay

that his relatives were allowed to visit him. His statement does not even contain

any waiver of right to counsel and yet during the investigation he was not

assisted by one. At the supposed reenactment, again accused was not assisted

by the counsel of his choice. These constitute gross violation of his rights.

Trial courts are cautioned to look carefully into the circumstances surrounding

the taking of any confession, especially where the prisoner claims having been

maltreated into giving one. Where there is any doubt as to its voluntariness, thesame must be rejected

76. People vs Ordoo

Facts: Ordoo and Medina were convicted of a crime of rape with homicide.

Unidentified sources pointed to Pacito Ordoo and Apolonio Medina as the

authors of the crime. Acting on this lead, the police thereu