985 inmates released from prison

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)

Almost 1,000 inmates from different Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) facilities were freed just days before Christmas Day.

Of the 985 inmates who gained freedom on Wednesday, 550 were from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, while another 156 were from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, and 90 from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong.

Other inmates were also released from other BuCor facilities: 72 from San Ramon PPF in Zamboanga City; 54 from Leyte Regional Prison; 41 from Iwahig PPF in Palawan; and 22 from Sablayan PPF in Occidental Mindoro.

Most of those released had already served their maximum sentence after applying their good conduct and time allowance or were acquitted from their cases.

Other inmates had their parole or probation granted. More than 11,000 have been released since the start of the Marcos administration.

Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco said the Department of Justice, together with BuCor, Boards of Pardon and Parole, and the Public Attorney’s Office, submitted to the Office of the President documents of 1,500 inmates recommended for executive clemency.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla committed to decongesting BuCor’s over-congested facilities, which currently house almost 52,000 inmates, but meant only for 12,000. —DEXTER CABALZA

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