BuCor, other agencies sign MOA on reintegration of violent extremist offenders

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and other agencies on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to institutionalize a collaborative reintegration program for released violent extremist offenders (VEOs).

According to BuCor, the MOA covers the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of a program tailored to the needs of released VEOs.

“This comprehensive approach begins prior to release and continues through post-release monitoring, effectively bridging the gap between custody and community,” BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said in a statement.

BuCor said that key components include psychosocial and spiritual counseling, skills training and livelihood assistance, community integration and family reunification, peace education and counter-narrative programs, and monitoring and evaluation of reintegration outcomes.

According to BuCor, there are 166 persons deprived of liberty, who are mostly from the Abu Sayyaf Group, categorized as VEOs. 

Of these, 162 are locals and four are foreign.

“These efforts seek to prevent recidivism and violent re-engagement of former offenders by providing comprehensive support during and after their transition from correctional facilities back into society,” BuCor said.

Catapang said the MOA also paved the way for the establishment of a Steering Committee, which will be the primary decision-making and oversight body.

Other signatories of the MOA are the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the Anti-Terrorism and Program Management Center, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA News