126 PDLs released on 126th PH Independence Day — BuCor

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday announced that 126 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been released as the Philippines celebrates its 126th Independence Day.

According to BuCor, this brings the number of released PDLs under the Marcos administration to 14,324.

Of the recently released, 61 were from the maximum security camp, the medium security camp, and the reception and diagnostic center of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Meanwhile, 22 were from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte, 16 were from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, 10 were from the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City, eight each were from the Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog and the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, and one from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan.

The agency said that 72 served their maximum sentence, 31 were released due to acquittal, 16 were given parole, six were granted probation, and one was granted conditional pardon.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said that he wanted the released PDLs to continue their reformation.

"Not everybody was given a second chance, so kapag binigay ang chance na ganito sa iyo make sure na worth it ka at huwag mo sayangin (so if you were given this chance, make sure that you are worth it and don't waste it)," Catapang said in a statement.

Among those present during BuCor's culminating activity for the PDLs' release were Catapang, Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta and Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, among others.

BuCor celebrated independence day with the theme "Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan” (Freedom, Future, History).

In a separate statement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said PAO extended free legal services to PDLs at the NBP such as legal advice/consultation, legal representation, and referral to PAO offices in partnership with the Ateneo Legal Service Center.

Free legal assistance is part of the department's ongoing Katarungan Caravan for victims of the Marawi Siege and internally displaced persons (IDPs). — VDV, GMA Integrated News