The marching order of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the Philippine National Police to intensify its Anti-Illegal Drug Operations has resulted in the large number of arrested persons who were put into custodial facilities. Consequently, issues such as poor ventilation, congestion, alleged tortures, police brutality, death of prisoners, jail breaks and shortage on basic necessities of Persons Under Police Custody (PUPCs) cause public concerns. IN Taguig City Police Station, eighteen (18) Persons Under Police Custody (PUPCs) died due to various illnesses which were aggravated by the poor condition in their custodial facility. Banking on the above, the researchers conducted a study entitled “The Custodial Facility Management of Taguig City Police Station”. The study sought to evaluate the present status of the Custodial Facility Management of Taguig City Police Station, identify the problems encountered, and to draw conclusion based on the findings of the study, and in the end, to formulate a doable and responsive Action Plan in order to enhance the level of effectiveness of Taguig City Police Station Custodial Facility Management.
In this study, the researchers utilized the Mix Method Research - Convergent parallel research design wherein, to gather the data needed, the researchers had collected qualitative data thru the conduct of interview and Focused Group Discussion as well as quantitative data through survey questionnaire and combine the collected data for evaluation and analysis.
The study revealed that the status of Taguig City Police Station Custodial Facility Management in terms of Infrastructure and Logistical Support is “Unsatisfactory” while in terms of Personal Efficiency and Competencies, and Systms and Procedures in Taking Care of Persons Under Police Custody is “Moderately Satisfactory”. In addition, the following are the problems encountered in Managing the Custodial Facility of Taguig City Police Station:
In terms of Infrastructure and Logistical Support – Lack of funds to maintain the custodial facility and to procure other necessary equipment needed for the facility. In terms of Personnel proficiency and Competency – Lack of training of custodial officers on proper handling of PUPCs and Management of the facility. IN terms of Systems and procedures in Taking Care of Persons Under Police Custody – Slow or delayed release of Commitment Orders of PUPCs.
Based on the above findings, the researchers recommend the following:
1. Improve the condition of the custodial facility and ensure that it is compliant with the requirements of the Human Rights Administration Office (HRAO) through crafting of a project proposal assess to the City mayor regarding the renovation of Taguig City Custodial Facility.
2. Develop the level of awareness of PNP personnel regarding the proper management of Custodial Facility through the conduct of Quarterly Custodial facility management Training
3. Monitor and ensure the speedy release of commitment order through designation of Court Liaison Officer who will focus on monitoring and follow-up of commitment orders of PUPCs and make appropriate recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding the necessary actions that will facilitate the immediate release of commitment orders.
Further, the researchers recommend the adoption of the proposed action plan entitled “Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Custodial Facility Management in Taguig City”.
Enhancement of the Custodial Facility Management is necessary to address the long-time problems in the PNP custodial facilities.