By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — A total of 783 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been released by the Department of Justice through the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), led by Director-General Gregorio Catapang, during the culminating activity on Monday (01 April 2024) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
The released PDLs came from various prison and penal facilities nationwide under the BuCor.
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that the release of these PDLs not only addresses congestion in prisons and other detention centers but also facilitates their reintegration into mainstream society.
“Your resilience and perseverance in life within the difficult walls of the prison are a living testament that anyone who falls can rise even stronger, wiser, and better,” Remulla added.
According to the BuCor, the PDLs were freed through different means such as acquittal, parole, conditional pardon, cash bond, bail bond, expiration of maximum sentence, and expiration of maximum sentence with Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA).
Also present during the ceremonial rites were Undersecretary-in-Charge for Corrections Cluster Deo Marco, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, and Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) Chairperson Sergio Calizo.
(el Amigo/MNM)
