MANILA, Philippines — Guidelines for the release of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are now underway to decongest penal facilities, President Rodrigo Duterte’s fourth report to Congress released Monday said.
“The Board of Pardons and Parole is formulating interim guidelines for the expeditious release of PDLs who are already of old age, sickly or are suffering from terminal illnesses, or with serious disabilities, as well as those eligible for parole or executive clemency, in order to decongest penal facilities,” the report said.
The President said this as he assured that preventive measures against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are being implemented in jail facilities nationwide.
“PDLs face a higher vulnerability to COVID-19, as the spread of the virus can expand rapidly due to the usually high concentration of persons in confined spaces. If strictly managed, however, their confinement offers the best protection for them from being infected,” Duterte said.
“The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has been monitoring and strictly enforcing preventive measures against COIVD-19 in all BJMP-supervised jail facilities nationwide, including hygiene and disinfection protocols, and quarantine and isolation schemes,” he added.
At least 21 detainees earlier were placed in isolation while they awaited for the swab results of their COVID-19 test. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1257897/21-detainees-in-isolation-swabbed-for-covid-19-bjmp
In Quezon City Jail, nine PDLs and personnel of BJMP have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The nationwide tally of COVID-19 cases has reached 6,459. Of the number, 428 patients have died while 613 patients have recovered.