At least 31 individuals whose partners are persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) tied the knot in a mass wedding inside the Cagayan de Oro City Jail on Friday, February 13, 2026, a day before Valentine’s Day, marking a heartwarming celebration of love behind bars.

The ceremony was held inside the male dormitory of the city jail and officiated by Archbishop Jose Cabantan Jr. of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.

“Sa ato pa pinaagi sa panalangin sa Ginoo ang inyong panaghinigugmaay gipanalanginan sa Ginoo aron mahimong balaang timaan sa walay sukod nga gugma sa Ginoo alang kanatong tanan,” Cabantan said.

For the newlyweds, the ceremony was the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream.

One of the grooms, who has been in the city jail for two years, expressed his joy after completing months of paperwork and requirements, noting that he and his partner have been together for 19 years.

“Dili gyud diay ulahi ang tanan nga gitagaan mi og pribelihiyo dinhi sa City Jail Male Dormitory nga gitagaan mi og higayon nga bisan diay tuod kami PDL,” the PDL groom said.

“Itugot sa panahon og ako malaya nako, malaya man gyud siguro ta ani diri so i-one-word na lang nato bagong buhay gyud siguro,” another PDL groom added.

The event is the fourth edition of the jail weddings, which the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) holds every two years.

“Research shows gyud nga ang mga PDLs nato nga with strong family ties, strong family unit, strong family support kay less likely gyud sila magre-offend and they are more than willing to reform,” Cagayan de Oro City Jail Male Dormitory Community Relations Service Chief, Jail Senior Inspector Riza Bermudo, said.

BJMP added that it will continue to provide skills and livelihood training to prepare PDLs for a productive return to the community.