The family of an inmate has demanded an explanation after he allegedly suffered severe beatings inside Cotabato City Jail.
On Friday, jail authorities transferred Muhamad Ganoy from the lock-up cell of City Police Station #2 to the City Jail in Malagapas.
Two days later, his sister Alma G. Kalaing received information from a friend urging her to immediately check her brother’s troubling condition.
Kalaing said the message claimed that jail guards had badly beaten Ganoy inside his cell, leaving him almost unrecognizable.
Alarmed by the report, the family immediately sought help from the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission to gain access and confirm the situation.
Commission representatives escorted them to the jail, where they discovered Ganoy weak, barely responsive, and covered with bruises on his body.
Kalaing said her brother could hardly talk when they visited, and his injuries indicated that he had endured physical abuse while detained.
The family now demands a clear explanation from jail authorities, holding them accountable for the condition of the inmate under their custody.
Human Rights officials expressed concern over the incident, stressing that detainees retain their basic rights despite facing criminal charges and ongoing detention.
Authorities have started gathering testimonies and medical findings, while the victim’s relatives continue to press for transparency and justice regarding the alleged beating.
Kalaing emphasized that accountability must be enforced, asserting that her brother’s treatment violated his dignity and endangered his life while in confinement.
The Commission vowed to closely monitor developments, promising to ensure that responsible individuals face legal consequences if investigations confirm the alleged abuse.
As of press time, the family continues coordinating with officials, determined to pursue justice and protect other inmates from similar experiences.
