NATIONAL REPORT 2016 Torture and ill-treatment in the PHILIPPINES In May 2016 the UN Committee against Torture expressed its concern at the continued reports of widespread use of torture and ill-treatment. Records gathered by IRCT members Balay and MAG as well as other local NGOs indicate that torture remains pervasive though underreported in the Philippines and the continued use of secret detention remain a key obstacle to exposing these crimes. The majority of reports of torture that do surface involve police officers, members of security forces, prison officials, Local executive officers, members of paramilitary groups and local peacekeepers. Dismantle the wheel of torture © courtesy of MAG Torture for the purpose of punishment or confession is very common in relation to persons suspected of petty crime or being members of armed groups. However, discrimination and economic interest are increasingly emerging as motives in the context of land rights disputes and the treatment of persons with psychosocial disabilities. Furthermore, threats of torture, ill-treatment and extrajudicial killings against victims, witnesses and human rights defenders remain a serious problem in the Philippines. Data collected by Balay from 116 victims receiving rehabilitation services from March 2014 to November 2015, indicates that the most frequent methods of torture and ill-treatment experienced by their clients are blunt force trauma, sub-standard detention conditions, deprivation of normal sensory stimulation and asphyxiation. Being beaten and only having access to contaminated food and water in detention are among the most frequent experiences by Balay clients, but several also report being exposed to practices such as waterboarding, drowning, and falanga (systematic beating of the sole). Threats of harm or death to the victim or family members are a common psychological torture methods. page 5