MANILA: A total of 328 persons deprived of liberty have been released from Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) facilities in December, bringing to nearly 6,000 the total number freed this year.
Of the total, 33 were elderly inmates, including two of the 13 from the Correctional Institution for Women.
The total included 118 from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa – 32 from the Maximum Security Compound, 52 from the Medium Security Compound, 31 from the Minimum Security Compound, and three from the Reception and Diagnostic Center.
Also freed were 24 inmates from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro; 23 from the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City; 44 from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; 28 from the Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog; 76 from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm; and two from the BuCor’s joint facility at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City.
Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said reforms will streamline the process of granting clemency to inmates.
“Ang ginagawa kasi namin ngayon, sinusubukan namin i-vet ang clemency rin para sabay-sabay. One time, big time siguro ang clemency pero ‘yung monthly tuloy-tuloy (What we are doing and what we want to do is vet those for clemency by groups. One time, big time clemency grants will continue). Hopefully, we will average around 700 to 800 monthly releases,” Remulla told the media.
Remulla said in coordination with the Public Attorney’s Office, they review the cases and immediately release those who were unjustly convicted and serving time
Source: Philippines News Agency
