The Bureau of Corrections on Tuesday, Sept. 13, released a total of 371 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the New Bilibid Prison and other jail facilities around the country.
The main program was held at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City at 8:00 a.m. led by the Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. This is in line with the 65th birthday of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
According to Remulla, one of his priorities upon his appointment is focusing on prisoners in the country, particularly the release of deserving inmates.
“It’s an act of grace and siyempre, ang original talaga, the sovereign, the King would do it to his people. Ngayon naman, he’s the head of state, the act of grace is something that country wants to see from a very powerful man, to one of, liberty. It’s a very good gesture to the society,” he said.
Of the released inmates, 31 were acquitted, 240 served maximum sentence, 98 are through parole, and two are under probation.
The DOJ clarified that it is not the same batch of PDLs that will be released through Executive Clemency.
Meanwhile, the DOJ targets to conduct mass release of PDLs.
“Mayroon pa, mayroon pa kaming wino-workout pa na clemency, pardon, parole, and commutation of sentence,” he added. –Report from Mela Lesmoras/KC-ag
