MANILA — An estimated 4,000 inmates have been released under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration, according to Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gregorio Catapang Jr.
“Umabot na po siguro ng mga… more or less aabot ng 4000, sa ungkulan ng ating mahal na pangulo,” he said in a Tuesday interview over Kabayan when asked for a number of released inmates.
When asked about the BuCor’s criteria for releasing inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), Catapang said they prioritized those qualified for parole, especially senior citizens and those tagged with good conduct.
“Unang-una po, ‘pag puwede na pong i-parole — na-serve na po ang kalahati ng haba ng kanilang pagkakakulong — tinitingnan kung puwede nang ipa-parole, lalo na kung may mga edad na po at matatanda na. At [those with] good conduct… talaga pong pinagsisisihan na at nagbagong buhay na po,” he explained.
The corrections chief also said that the release of inmates aged 75 years old and above and sickly inmates had been expedited by Marcos and Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Boying Remulla.
BuCor intends to begin the transfer of 7,500 inmates from the New Bilibid Prison to facilities all over the country this year, according to its chief.
“Itong taon na po ito, maglilipat po kami ng 7,500; ‘yung mga nasa minimum at medium [security] ililipat namin. Then hopefully itong remaining four years — sa 2024, magsisimula kaming maglipat nang mas maraming mga PDL sa Mindoro, Leyte, Palawan, at Davao,” Catapang said.
Shutdown of New Bilibid Prison, CIW
Catapang also revealed plans to close the New Bilibid Prison in five years.
“Tinakda ko sa sarili ko na five years isasara na po itong New Bilibid Prison at magtatayo tayo ng New BuCor Global City. Commercial na po itong area natin, katabi ko lang dito Ayala Alabang, [Alabang] West, Portofino [Alabang],” stated Catapang.
“Napakamahal na ng lupa rito. Baka magagamit po natin pang pagpapagawa… and relocation ng ating mga inmates o PDL kasi prang sobra pa kami sa sardinas dito, nagsisiksikan po kami,” he added.
Catapang first mentioned plans to construct a BuCor Global City in April. In previous statements, Catapang said that besides being a functioning prison, the global city would include socialized housing and a food terminal system among other features.
The BuCor head also highlighted the shutdown of the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) shutdown in Mandaluyong, which he previously stated would take place before the Marcos administration ended in 2028.
Catapang then revealed the possibility of transferring female inmates from CIW to facilities in Palawan and Davao.
“Opo, ‘yung CIW isasara rin natin yan kasi napakasikip na rin po diyan. Baka mas maganda ilipat sila sa Palawan at tsaka Davao, may naghihintay pong tao sa kanila diyan,” said Catapang.
“Nakakatuwa nga yung ibang bansa, yung kanilang mga PDL ay kumikita. Sa ating bayan, sila’y nagsisiksikan, namamatay, tapos nakakalimutan pang ilibing. Kaya babaguhin po natin ang sistema na nangyari,” he concluded. (Sofia Abrogar © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
