Bureau of Corrections. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — More than a thousand persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released from November 26 to December 30, bringing the total to 7,707 released in 2024, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said Monday.
The continuous release of qualified inmates is part of the government’s effort to decongest the penal institutions under BuCor.
BuCor records show that the grounds for the release of inmates were broken down as follows:
- 625 – completed their maximum sentences
- 134 – acquitted
- 38 – granted probation
- 190 – received parole
- 11 – granted habeas corpus
- one — granted a motion for release
- one — turned over to a local jail
Following is where the released inmates came from:
- 59 — Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City
- two – CIW Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm
- 18 – CIW Mindanao
- 170 – Davao Prison and Penal Farm
- 111 – Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm
- 69 – Leyte Regional Prison
- 199 – Maximum Security Camp of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP)
- 146 – Medium Security Camp of NBP
- 40 – Minimum Security Camp of NBP
- 17 – the NBP Reception and Diagnostic Center
- 68 – Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm
- 101 – San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm
Meanwhile, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said they were hoping to release qualified inmates convicted of heinous crimes early next year, following a decision by the Supreme Court which provided that they would also be covered by the Good Conduct Time Allowance.
READ: SC: Good conduct time allowance covers convicts of heinous crimes
The GCTA is a privilege awarded to a prisoner, whether held or sentenced by final judgment, granting him the opportunity for a reduction of his jail or prison term for every month of actual detention or service of the sentence as a reward for good conduct and exemplary behavior.