Decongestion of jail continuous: 401 more prisoners released
MANILA, Philippines — Hundreds more persons deprived of liberty (PDLs or prisoners) were released from various penal colonies under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) as part of its effort to decongest the jails.
The majority of the 401 released PDLs are from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) with 163 inmates, followed by 99 from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm; Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Southern Leyte with 47; and 25 from the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.
Of the 163 released prisoners from the national penitentiary, 59 were from the maximum security compound, 86 were from the medium security compound, 14 were from minimum security, and four were from the Reception and Diagnostic Center.
BuCor data also showed that most released were due to parole, and 106 completed their maximum sentence, while 65 were acquitted of their crimes.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who presided over the release of women-PDLs at the CIW, urged them to turn a new page in their lives and be productive members of society again.
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Since July last year, 4,994 PDLs have been released from detention after completing the maximum prison sentence, acquittal, and parole or pardon.
Remulla said they expect the number to increase as the processing of PDLs records continues.
The Pardon and Parole Administration, formerly the Board of Pardon and Parole, reviews 101 petitions for clemency by qualified PDLs.
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