Promoting torture prevention and documentation in the Philippines developed, which are currently awaiting signature by relevant national agencies. Unfortunately, the guidelines are still with the respective legal departments. MAG and the CHR also helped form the Philippine Network Against Torture (PNAT), which counts 200 government health personnel and NGO officers as individual members. Meanwhile, the Balay Rehabilitation Center, a PNAT member and UATC co-convener, initiated seminars for prison officials and custodial officers in the National Capital Region, Luzon and Davao in 2007. The seminars addressed issues such as detainee rights, UNCAT, and international standards for prisons. Balay has been active in the campaign for ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UNCAT, gathering support from government departments, including the Presidential Committee on Human Rights. It also facilitated some Manila prison inspections by Congress Committee on Human Rights members. The success of the training activities can be attributed to active participation of health professionals in development of the manual and the high interest shown by local government agencies and prison authorities who participated. Networking with media also contributed to wide campaign coverage and public awareness. Moreover, the seminars for prison officials have resulted in easier access of NGOs to prison facilities. For instance, prison officers in the Metro Manila District Jail have allowed Balay to conduct psychosocial activities and deliver assistance to suspects and dissidents who suffered from cruel treatment and deplorable prison conditions. These achievements are encouraging but significant challenges remain. PNAT, MAG and CHR continue to push for government adoption of a standard system for torture documentation and reporting for all health professionals and for the PMA to endorse the Network’s torture detection guidelines. Meanwhile, some NGOs require more training to upgrade their skills. And torture advocacy is focused on reforming the legal system by securing passage of the anti-torture law, ratifying OPCAT and subsequent creation of a national preventive mechanism. 57