MANILA, Philippines— An estimated 4,000 inmates have been released under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration, according to Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gregorio Catapang Jr.
“Umabot na po siguro ng mga… more or less aabot ng 4000, sa ungkulan ng ating mahal na pangulo,” he said in a Tuesday interview over Kabayan when asked for a number of released inmates.
(The number has reached… more or less has reached 4000, under the term of the President.)
When asked about the BuCor’s criteria for releasing inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), Catapang said they prioritized those qualified for parole, especially senior citizens and those tagged with good conduct.
“Unang-una po, ‘pag puwede na pong i-parole — naserve na po ang kalahati ng haba ng kanilang pagkakakulong — tinitingnan kung puwede nang ipa-parole, lalo na kung may mga edad na po at matatanda na. At [those with] good conduct… talaga pong pinagsisisihan na at nagbagong buhay na po,” he explained.
(Firstly, we assess those qualified for parole — those that have served half of their term in jail — and check if they can be put on parole, especially the elderly. And those with good conduct… those who genuinely regret what they did and have changed their ways.)
The corrections chief also said that the release of inmates aged 75 years old and above and sickly inmates had been expedited by Marcos and Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Boying Remulla.
BuCor intends to begin the transfer of 7,500 inmates from the New Bilibid Prison to facilities all over the country this year, according to its chief.
“Itong taon na po ito, maglilipat po kami ng 7,500; ‘yung mga nasa minimum at medium [security] ililipat namin. Then hopefully itong remaining four years — sa 2024, magsisimula kaming maglipat nang mas maraming mga PDL sa Mindoro, Leyte, Palawan, at Davao,” Catapang said.
(This year, we will transfer 7500 inmates in minimum and medium security. Then hopefully, in the remaining four years — in 2024, we will begin transferring more PDLs in Mindoro, Leyte, Palawan, and Davao.)
Shutdown of New Bilibid Prison, CIW
Catapang also revealed plans to close the New Bilibid Prison in five years.
“Tinakda ko sa sarili ko na five years isasara na po itong New Bilibid Prison at magtatayo tayo ng New BuCor Global City. Commercial na po itong area natin, katabi ko lang dito Ayala Alabang, [Alabang] West, Portofino [Alabang],” stated Catapang.
(I have given myself five years to have the New Bilibid Prison closed, and we will construct the New BuCor Global City. The surrounding areas are commercial now. I’m right beside Ayala Alabang, Alabang West, Portofino Alabang.)
“Napakamahal na ng lupa rito. Baka magagamit po natin pang pagpapagawa… and relocation ng ating mga inmates o PDL kasi prang sobra pa kami sa sardinas dito, nagsisiksikan po kami,” he added.
(Land here is costly. Perhaps we can use it to construct… and relocate our inmates or PDLs because it’s worse than a can of sardines here. We are so cramped for space.)
Catapang first mentioned plans to construct a BuCor Global City in April. In previous statements, Catapang said that besides being a functioning prison, the global city would include socialized housing and a food terminal system among other features.
The BuCor head also highlighted the shutdown of the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) shutdown in Mandaluyong, which he previously stated would take place before the Marcos administration ended in 2028.
Catapang then revealed the possibility of transferring female inmates from CIW to facilities in Palawan and Davao.
“Opo, ‘yung CIW isasara rin natin yan kasi napakasikip na rin po diyan. Baka mas maganda ilipat sila sa Palawan at tsaka Davao, may naghihintay pong tao sa kanila diyan,” said Catapang.
(Yes, we will close the CIW because it is incredibly cramped there. Transferring the inmates to Palawan and Davao might be better as people are waiting there.)
“Nakakatuwa nga yung ibang bansa, yung kanilang mga PDL ay kumikita. Sa ating bayan, sila’y nagsisiksikan, namamatay, tapos nakakalimutan pang ilibing. Kaya babaguhin po natin ang sistema na nangyari,” he concluded.
(It’s fascinating that in other countries, their PDLs earn. In our country, they are cramped and die, and their burials are even forgotten. That’s why we want to change the current system.)
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