46 Muslim inmates released from NBP since start of Ramadan

Bureau of Corrections. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — At least 46 Muslim inmates, or persons deprived of liberty (PDL), have been released from prisons since the beginning of Ramadan, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said on Tuesday.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang said of this number, a total of 20 PDLs had their sentences expired; 12 were acquitted; five underwent the good conduct time allowance (GCTA); five were released under probation; and four were granted parole.

Catapang also said the number of freed Muslim PDLs is expected to rise, with several others now under recommendation for pardon.

“Our Muslim brothers are not left behind,” Catapang said in a statement.

“In fact, 46 of them have already been released since the start of Ramadan, while another 23 have been recommended by the Board of Pardons and Parole for Executive Clemency as of April 3,” he added.

A total of 754 Muslim PDLs were released since the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

According to Catapang, about 3,014 Muslim PDLs operated penal and prison farms as of February 29, accounting for 5.69 percent of the 52,950 total number of PDLs under BuCor’s watch.

Catapang previously expressed optimism about the release of more PDLs once the Supreme Court resolves the issue on GCTA regarding heinous crime offenders.

He estimated that 5,000 to 10,000 PDLs may be released once the High Court resolves the issue.