BuCor: No negligence in release, welfare of PDLs
THE Bureau of Corrections assured that there is no negligence on their part when it comes to the welfare of persons deprived of liberty, particularly with the issue of releasing them after serving their sentence.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. disclosed that, we are proud to say that we do not have a case of overstaying PDLs under our jurisdiction, because we adhere to the guidance set forth by Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla that those who are eligible for release should be released without further delays which he called “real justice in real time.”
“Wala kaming kaso ng kapabayaan tulad ng nangyari sa isang PDL sa Cavite na sa kadahilanang hindi naipadala ng isang court staff ang release order ay nanatili siyang nasa piitan ng apat na taon pa ganong ang sintensya nya ay tatlong taon lamang. Lumalabas na sya ay nakulong ng pitong taon imbes na tatlong taon,” Catapang said.
“As early as this year, I ordered the evaluation of prison records or karpetas of all PDLs with strict orders to my personnel that I want the PDL’s to have the knowledge about their legal documentation and to provide them with comprehensive information on their prison records and the procedures related to their release while in custody. Gusto ko kasi na kahit sinong PDL ang tanungin ko kung kailan sya lalaya, alam nya ang issasagot nya,” Catapang added.
The Bucor’s PDL Documents and Processing Division (PDPD) headed by CSINSP Raymund Peneyra has been conducting an information drive to address PDLs concerns on these matters, which is essential for them to make informed decisions and bring hope to them while incarcerated, Catapang said.
This, he added, will ensure a smoother transition into post-incarceration.
To date, we have already released 15,382 PDLs from June 2022 to July of this year under the Bilis Laya Program aimed at expediting the processing and release of eligible PDLs. They were released under different modes, which include maximum sentence served, acquittal, paroled, probation, and executive clemency.
