Persons deprived of liberty or PDLs at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa were given anew four days — from 6 a.m. on 30 December to 5 p.m. on 2 January 2023 — with which to enjoy conjugal visits.

The Bureau of Corrections yesterday said it extended the privilege earlier granted from 23 to 26 December 2022 for another four days in the "spirit of Christmas, joy and love."

It stressed that it is opening the NBP for visits to PDLs as an integral part of their "reformation and moral upliftment."

"Those who enjoyed the Christmas stay-in visit shall no longer be allowed to avail of the New Year stay-in," the BuCor clarified in a statement.

Only the listed legal and common-law wives will be allowed to enjoy the stay-in privileges, except for those already pregnant for seven months or more, it added.

Children three to 12 years old may also be allowed to visit but are limited to two per PDL and will have to leave the facility by 4 p.m.

"Only fully vaccinated visitors shall be allowed to visit, and those unvaccinated must present a negative rapid antigen test taken at least 24 hours before the scheduled visit," BuCor said.

The one-entry policy imposed by the bureau means that once the visitor has exited the prison facility, she will no longer be allowed to re-enter to resume her stay-in visit.

BuCor warned that the visiting rights of the PDLs and their visitors would be suspended indefinitely if caught in possession of contraband or upon the involvement of the PDL in riots or any other forms of disturbances.

The visitors will be required to undergo body, X-ray, metal detector and K9 search. They will be asked to strictly follow visitation protocols.