AT least 50 elderly inmates have been transferred from the maximum security compound to the minimum security at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Acting Director Gregorio Catapang Jr. has revealed this development, stressing the transfer was part of the bureau’s program to decongest prison facilities under its supervision.

The BuCor prison facilities are: The Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) in Palawan, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF) in Zamboanga City, Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) in Oriental Mindoro, New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa;

The Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) in Davao del Norte, and Leyte Regional Prison (LRP) in Southern Leyte.

According to Catapang, inmates 70 years old and above, regardless of the nature of their cases, will be transferred to the minimum security compound.

“This will be the first move to decongest the Maximum. Initial yan 50 just to show na we really want to decongest the Maximum prison compound.”

“(The criteria) is 70 years old and above regardless of the case they are involved in,” Catapang said.

Catapang replaced suspended BuCor chief Gerald Bantag after the latter was suspended over the mystery-shrouded death of the middleman in the Percy Lapid slay.

Meanwhile, Catapang has asked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to grant executive clemency to more than 3,000 elderly and sickly inmates from seven prison facilities across the nation.

Of the 3,000, more than 2,000 are serving time at the NBP.

According to Catapang, the letter was already sent to Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to endorse it to President Marcos Jr.

“We are already writing the secretary (Remulla) to help us endorse the letter. Of course, si secretary mag-endorse niyan kay Presidente for the clemency,” Catapang said.

“We are talking about 3,000 plus for clemency nationwide,” he added.