LOCAL Government Secretary Benhur Abalos lauded the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for facilitating the release of 74,590 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) through its paralegal services.

Abalos said that credit goes to the BJMP leadership for the continuing initiatives to further decongest jails throughout the country.

“Ang overcrowding noong January ay 281%, ngayon lumalabas nasa 238% na so nababawasan natin ito ng husto at magtatrabaho pa tayo tungkol dito,” he said.

This far, the BJMP according to him, has been efficient in introducing comprehensive programs that convince the jailbirds to mend their ways and instead choose to become more productive members of society to facilitate long-term solutions to jail decongestion.

Abalos stressed that instead of constructing more jail facilities that seek to penalize the offenders, the BJMP should take steps towards full reformation of PDLs to give them a second chance in life.

The DILG chief added; “Ang tema rito ay koreksyon, makorek kung ano man ang pagkakamali, wala naman taong hindi nagkakamali, at para huwag nang bumalik uli.”

BJMP records showed that from January to October, a total of 7,647 PDLs were released on bail; 10,592 are serving sentences with time allowances while 18,290 are serving without time allowances.

A total of 6,249 were acquitted; and 7,591 were transferred to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), youth detention facilities, National Center for Mental Health, and drug reformation centers.

On the other hand, 51 PDLs were released on parole; 6,831 on probation; 4,677 on permanent dismissal, 6,161 on provisional dismissal; 4,840 were released on recognizance; 60 were on community service; and 1,601 PDLs were released through other modes.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Joel dela Torre