BJMP launches anti-extremism training in its prisons – Manila bulletin

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has launched a four-day virtual training aimed at preventing its prisons from being turned into hosts of extremist ideologies.

Dubbed “Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Insurgency (PCVEI), BJMP chief Director Allan Iral said on Sunday (October 10) that the program was the product of coordination with appropriate government agencies, adding that they would continue to do so. to carry out and further strengthen its PCVEI interventions, particularly with regard to the de-radicalization of persons deprived of their liberty (PDL).

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) concluded its four-day virtual training on PCVEI in its prisons on October 9.

In a statement, the BJMP cited that Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr, National Security Advisor and Director General of the National Security Council and Vice Chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflicts (NTF-ELCAC) recognized the efforts of the office in establishing its own PCVE center which strengthens the agency’s PCVE efforts and capacities in countering violent extremism and radicalization.

“Prisons and prisons should play an increasingly important role in this fight,” Esperon said.

“In prison, there is an opportunity to end the process of radicalization and even to reverse it to mold law-abiding citizens who do not see violence as an option in the pursuit of their cause,” he said. he adds.

Iral argued that PDLs are considered one of the most vulnerable sectors of society “which makes them the easiest target for manipulation”.

While the BJMP has programs specifically designed for the “de-radicalization” of PDLs, the BJMP noted that violent extremism and insurgency are issues requiring constant retraining.

On the other hand, Nina Lewis, head of cultural affairs at the US Embassy in the Philippines, affirmed that the United States is proud to contribute to the continued efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism in the country. .

In her message to participants, she reiterated the efforts of the United States to ensure a stronger partnership with the Philippines, especially in peacebuilding efforts.

“We are all in this. This problem is so much bigger than any group or country. We saw it 20 years ago during the 9/11 attacks and if we have learned anything from that, it is is that we have to help each other, ”Lewis said.

Iral said the four-day PCVEI seminar is one of BJMP’s initiatives to deepen BJMP staff’s understanding of the importance of partnering with government agencies, civic organizations, academia and others. stakeholders in preventing and countering violent extremism and insurgency.

The BJMP Center on PCWEI was established in February 2021 to harmonize BJMP plans, programs and activities to address radicalization in district, city and municipal prisons that are aligned with the National Action Plan for Prevention and countering violent extremism and the Anti-terrorism Law of 2020 (Chito A. Chavez)