Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla will attend the culminating activity for the release of at least 245 persons deprived of liberty today, 20 March from the prison facilities of the Bureau of Corrections nationwide.

“As of Friday (17 March), the number of PDLs listed for released was at 245 but the number could increase until today,” said BuCor Public Information Office head Corrections Chief Insp. Sonny del Rosario on Sunday.

Del Rosario said that activity will be held at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City and will also be attended by Public Attorney’s Office chief Atty. Persida V. Rueda-Acosta and BuCor acting director general Gregorio Catapang Jr.

Last 20 February, the BuCor freed a total of 416 inmates from its prison facilities nationwide.

Remulla, on instructions by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has ordered BuCor to expedite the processing and release of qualified PDLs to decongest prison facilities.

The release of PDLs that either completed their prison sentence or has qualified for release was part of Remulla’s program to decongest the prison facilities under the supervision of BuCor.

Remulla has also vowed to release more PDLs as part of the prison reforms the DOJ is currently implementing to further improve the situation in jail facilities and rid corruption that has haunted BuCor in the past.