The number of deceased Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in jail facilities under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has reached 476 from January to July.
According to Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra, if the numbers are examined thoroughly, 2 to 3 PDLs die on a daily basis. The deaths are caused by various cases and the increase is related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Meanwhile, Sec. Guevarra pointed out that the BuCor has presented its protocols on COVID-19 related deaths and the DOJ found several inadequacies. The Justice Secretary disclosed that the probe of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will center on the shortfalls of the protocols so that improvement can be done by the BuCor. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
