Concluding observations on the fourth periodic report of the Philippines, adopted by the Committee at its 106th session, 15 October to 2 November
17. The Committee is concerned at continued allegations of torture and the lack of data on the incidence of torture, particularly on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and sanctions imposed on perpetrators of torture in the State party (art. 7).
The State party should take appropriate measures to improve the conduct of investigations of alleged torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement personnel. The State party should ensure that allegations of torture and ill-treatment are effectively investigated in accordance with the Principles on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment (General Assembly Resolution 55/89); and that alleged perpetrators are prosecuted and, if convicted, punished with appropriate sanctions; and that the victims are adequately compensated. The State party should establish a system to collect data on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions, sanctions and compensation granted to victims of torture or members of their families, and report comprehensively about these figures in its next report.
19. While welcoming efforts by the State party to improve conditions of detention and imprisonment such as early release, the Committee regrets the high levels of overcrowding and the poor conditions of incarceration prevailing in detention centres and prisons which often operate beyond their capacities (arts. 2 and 10).
The State party should increase its efforts to improve the conditions of detained persons and prisoners. It should address the issues of sanitation and overcrowding as a matter of priority, including through resort to the wider application of alternative forms of punishment.
