Over 350 PDLs released from NBP, other prisons — BuCor

More than 350 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released on Tuesday from the New Bilibid Prison and other prisons and penal farms, according to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Of the 371 PDLs released, the BuCor said 191 were from the New Bilibid Prison, 143 were from Operating Prison and Penal Farms, and 37 were from the Correctional Institute for Women.

Of the released PDLs, a total of 240 served their maximum prison sentence, 31 were acquitted, 98 were released on parole, and two are on probation.

There were also a total of 45 senior citizens released.

“Ang purpose ng correction talaga ay kapag ang tao ay nilitis, nagkaroon ng kaso, nilitis, nasentensyahan, dapat naroon ang lipunan upang bigyan sila ng pagkakataon makabangon muli,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

[The purpose of correction is that when individuals are sentenced, society should be there to give them a chance to rise again.]

Remulla said he hoped that more batches of PDLs will be released in the following months.

“Gusto ko kung papalarin tayo, sa October merong batch ulit, sa November may batch ulit, at sa Pasko isang batch ulit. Tuloy-tuloy na, ‘di ba?” he said.

[If we are fortunate, there may be another batch in October, another in November, and one more in Christmas. It will be continuous.]

“May turnover lang talaga pero ang mahalaga ay makapag bagong buhay ang lahat at makabalik sila sa kanilang mga pamilya kung naroon pa sila. Kasi ang kalungkutan din naman ng lahat, marami rito… ay minsan walang babalikan… Kung talagang hindi nagkakalimutan, sana mas maaga tayong nakakalabas.”

[The important part is to give them a second chance at life and for them to be able to return to their families if they are still there. Because unfortunately, for many here, sometimes they no longer have a home to return to… if they are not forgotten, they would be released earlier.]

BuCor director general Gerald Bantag, Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta, and Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco were also present during the culminating activity.

This came just as the Department of Justice seeks to submit a list of PDLs for executive clemency to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In an ambush interview, Remulla said the list for clemency is different from those that were released.

“Meron pa. Meron pang iba. GCTA ito at saka other releases no. Meron pa, meron pa kaming wino-work out na clemency,” he said.

[There are more. There will be others. These were GCTA and other releases. We're also working something out for clemency.]

When asked how many PDLs will be up for clemency, the Justice secretary said there may be around 360 PDLs submitted for clemency.

"Almost the same as now. Three hundred seventy-one ngayon, baka 360 [there is 371 now, there may be 360]," he said.

Visitation suspended

Meanwhile, the BuCor said PDL visitation is temporarily suspended on Tuesday, September 13, and will resume on Wednesday, September 14 due to a security survey assessment.

It said that visitation at the Medium Security Compound, Minimum Security Compound, and Reception and Diagnostic Center of the NBP will resume on Wednesday and will follow the previous visit schedule. — RSJ, GMA News