RESIDENTS of Muntinlupa are set to ask the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to probe the “inhumane building” of a wall by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), which has blocked their access to the main road.

The affected residents of Southville, along with local groups Kalipunan ng mga Mamamayan na Pinagkaisa sa New Bilibid Prison, Inc. and Alyansa ng Mamamayan sa Southville 3, will submit a letter to the CHR containing testimonies of how the “wall continues to violate the rights of the local population.”

“Aside from being an inconvenience, it cost the jobs and livelihood of informal workers, (public utility vehicles) and tricycle drivers, and disrupted the delivery of services in the barangay,” they said in a statement on Monday.

The Insular Prison Road, which is part of the national penitentiary property, serves the primary access to around 8,000 families or 40,000 residents of Southville 3, a government social housing project.

BuCor built the wall in March this year, which it said should have already been up 15 years ago.

Local government officials have likewise called for the removal of the wall.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said he will review the letter once submitted, but noted that alternative solutions were already recommended during previous discussions with BuCor. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR