BuCor bans advocacy group spox from penal facilities

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) confirmed Monday it has permanently prohibited Fides Lim, spokesperson for the advocacy group Kapatid, from entering or visiting persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in all its prison camps.

This comes as the BuCor cited repeated violations of corrections protocol and “unruly behavior” as the reason for the ban.

According to a letter dated 12 July from BuCor director general Gregorio Catapang Jr. to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the prohibition against Lim began 29 April 2025. This decision followed a “thorough investigation and multiple corroborated testimonies” that revealed repeated instances of defiance, arrogance and disruptive conduct toward corrections officers, including high-ranking officials, during her visits to the New Bilibid Prison.

BuCor disclosed that Lim “demonstrated a pattern of disregard for established security measures, impatience with procedural verification, and confrontational conduct toward persons in authority.”

Catapang cited several incidents leading to the permanent ban.

On 25 February 2024, Lim was cited for arrogance towards authority, refusing to observe queuing procedures, meddling with other visitors to get ahead, refusing to follow protocol on bringing in medicines, and disregarding parking rules inside the prison camps.

Then on 24 March 2024, Lim reportedly refused to be frisked and threatened to sue personnel if they insisted. On 7 April 2024, Lim allegedly disregarded security protocol by arranging an interview of a PDL by De La Salle University School of Law, which was not included in her approved request for food donation and distribution.

She also reportedly violated the “Paabot” procedure by aggressively insisting on entering the camps without approval and refusing a body frisk. She also allegedly threatened to file complaints against BuCor personnel.

Finally, on 19 October 2024, Lim again demonstrated a pattern of disregarding established security measures, impatience with procedural verification and confrontational conduct toward corrections officers, including high-ranking officials, during a visit to the medium security camp of the New Bilibid Prison.

Catapang stressed that all visitors to operating prison and penal farms are treated equally.

“There are procedures to follow when visiting a PDL, and we treat everyone the same. No special treatment; all are equal,” Catapang said.

“We have to maintain order and adhere to security protocols within the correctional system to ensure a safe environment for both staff and PDLs,” he added.