The Bureau of Corrections on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, releases persons deprived of liberty from different prisons and penal farms. (Photo from the Bureau of Corrections)
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday released 985 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who have been acquitted, served their maximum sentence, and were granted probation and parole.
The BuCor said the PDLs came from its various operating prisons and penal farms. They were officially released through a culminating activity conducted by the agency in the New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City.
The BuCor noted that the PDLs brought the total number of those released to 11,000 since Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assumed office. More PDLs will also be released, with some of them expected to go out within the year.
According to BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., the bureau is working closely to fastrack the release of the PDLs who were paroled under their “Bilis Laya” program, which expedites the release of PDLs.
“Katunayan po nyan ay inimbita namin si Chairman Sergio Rubico Calizo Jr. ng Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) to thresh out kung ano yung mga nagiging problema at para mas mapabalis pa natin yung pag laya ng PDLs para mas mabilis din silang makabalik sa kanilang pamilya,” Catapang said in a press release.
(In fact, we invited Chairman Sergio Rubico Calizo Jr. of the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) to thresh out what the problems are and to expedite the release of PDLs so that they can quickly go back to their families.)
The director general also said that he has already ordered their legal team to study other possible legal remedies to speed up the release of PDLs who have already served their minimum sentence.
Catapang said that after the jail decongestion summit, releasing PDLs is their contribution to help ease the overpopulation in prisons and penal farms.
“We will adhere to the planned strategy of addressing overpopulation in the penal system by reducing admissions, increase releases and expand our jail facilities,” he added.
Meanwhile, in the same culminating activity, Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco said the Department of Justice, BuCor, the BPP, and the Public Attorney’s Office, submitted 1,500 PDL documents recommended for clemency to the Office of the President.