"Human rights groups have criticised police in the Philippines for the alleged use of a 'torture wheel' at a detention facility. Police reportedly spun the wheel to select abuse for detainees. Punishments included "bat position", where people were hung upside down for 30 seconds. Amnesty International said police in Laguna province, near Manila, abused the detainees "for fun". Several police officers are now under investigation, local reports say. The news emerged after suspects accused of drug-related crimes had complained about injuries they sustained while in custody at the unlisted detention facility, local media report. The detainees, who had bruises and wounds on various parts of their body, said police tortured them so they would reveal drug sources. A total of 44 detainees had accused 10 police officers of carrying out torture and extortion, Amnesty International said in a statement on Monday." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25923683
I don't find it all amusing to read a story about torture under the headline "More Fun in the Philippines". Since when has torture ever been considered to be "fun" unless, of course, you are a sick sadist who derives some pleasure from inflicting pain and degrading treatment on others?
If you read the news story it says just that. The title underlines the nature of the story. Nothing sadistic about the posting. I also dislike your reference to me being a sick sadist. Definitely in bad taste. My wife picked the title, by the way. She is a Filipina. She is disgusted by the story and that it is her own country. She is entitled to have the opinion. Is that OK with you? The news story is also an example for potential visitors, in terms of raising awareness of the pitfalls of transgressing the law out there. Again I find myself being on trial by you and object to that. Its been quiet for a while but you cannot stop yourself.
Not quite. The BBC piece claims to quote an Amnesty International Statement but does so out of context. The BBC's story says: Whilst Amnesty's Statement actually reads: Somewhat different emphasis. The Department of Tourism's catch-phrase is intended to caption the positive aspects about the country. Your use of it to headline a negative - and despicable - aspect is just wrong, plain wrong.
Just because you disagree with the BBC and Amnesty International take on it, don't take it out on me.
I have no problem with either the BBC's or Amnesty's "take", but I do have a problem with you hijacking a pro-tourism slogan to make light of an otherwise serious story. You may think the juxtaposition is amusing, I don't.
Again, I object to your implication that I find it amusing. I find your statement objectionable. I repeat, my wife, who is a native Filipina is disgusted by the story. Shall I repeat that one more time?
Gentlemen... Markham, I read the forum header as a sarcastic spin on their tourist material. I didn't presume John was making light of the whole thing or linking criminal acts to hotel resorts throughout the islands. Clearly we all interpret these things differently and clearly your interpretation was not what John meant. No need to make a mountain out of a mole hill!
The tortured guys were seemingly drug dealers, people who profit from the destruction of innocent lives, they need a kick up the ass. (*more background needed) In many countries they would face the death sentence. Why do Amnesty not dedicate themselves to protecting normal law abiding citizens from the abuses and corruption of the Philippine police, rather than supporting criminals.
I kind of agree with you Dave. But I also believe in people having a fair trial etc. I always think along the lines of they could be picking on the wrong person.
"The discovery of a secret torture cell in a police intelligence facility in the Philippines where officers physically abused inmates for fun in a game of “roulette” shows the authorities’ pitiful lack of control over the police force in the country, Amnesty International said today. The organization is calling on the Aquino administration to act immediately to put an end to routine torture under their watch. “For police officers to use torture ‘for fun’ is despicable. These are abhorrent acts. Suspending officers is not enough. Errant police personnel and their commanding officers should be held accountable in a court of law,” said Hazel Galang-Folli, Amnesty International's Philippines Researcher." “Torture is a criminal act, and the leadership of the Philippine National Police must end its practice within its ranks. The authorities must ensure that torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment is not tolerated.” http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/phil...cell-play-torture-roulette-inmates-2014-01-27
PNP chief orders inspection of detention facilities after torture cell found "The 10 policemen suspended for allegedly running a “torture cell” in Laguna should face criminal charges, Commission on Human Rights chair Etta Rosales said Thursday. “Sabi ko, dapat mag-file ng criminal charges, hindi lang administrative,” Rosales said in a phone-patch interview on GMA News TV's News To Go. “Kailangan nila ng reorientation. Kung sakaling guilty, they should be punished, and they should go to jail.” Following the discovery of the alleged torture cell in Biñan, Laguna, Rosales said other detention facilities in the country should also be monitored. “There are 79 provinces all over the Philippines. If the provincial director had set this up, how about the other provinces? Can we be assured na walang ganyan?” she said, pointing out that the torture cell in Biñan existed “just right under our noses.” “We have to look into that, and there should be a relentless drive in order to monitor all the structures of the national police,” Rosales said. The 10 policemen were suspended following the discovery of a secret prison where masked jailors allegedly beat up and abused inmates, and even features a “wheel of torture.” So far the 10, led by Chief Inspector Arnold Formento, have only been charged administratively for grave misconduct. The prison, which is not in the official list of Philippine National Police's detention facilities, is a converted house in a gated residential community and is reportedly run by an intelligence unit of the Biñan police." http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/stor...nts-criminal-charges-vs-wheel-of-torture-cops
This is pretty disgusting to be honest and the implication and news coverage is overshadowed by that stupid Vhong Navarro case.
