200 QC, Manila inmates freed after ‘mass promulgation’

Two hundred inmates were released on Friday after their cases were dismissed in a "mass promulgation" agreed upon by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

A "24 Oras" report by Emil Sumangil said cases of 500 inmates from the Quezon City Jail and Metro Manila District Jail on Friday had to be resolved to decongest the two facilities, which over the past year has seen a spike in the number of detainees due to the intensified anti-illegal drug campaign.

Cases lodged against inmates who were imprisoned for "light offenses," such as qualified theft and snatching, were dismissed.

Their prison stay was reportedly only being prolonged by the slow pace of the hearings on their cases.

QC Jail warden Superintendent Ermilito Moral said they were housing 3,440 prisoners in a facility built for a capacity of 700.

"Kung ako ay mababawasan ng 200 inmates, malaking kabawasan iyon para sa ikaluluwag ng aming piitan," Moral said.

The newly-released prisoners interviewed on the report were grateful for their newfound freedom and were happily reunited with their families. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News