The seven high-profile persons deprived of liberty who expressed their intent to recant their testimonies against former Senator Leila De Lima will be returned to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro.

The court ordered the return of PDLs German L. Agojo, Tomas B. Donina, Jaime V. Patcho, Wu Tuan Yuan who is also known as Peter Co, Engelberto Durano, Jerry R. Pepino and Hans Anton Tan — among the high-profile PDLs who were transferred to SPPF in August this year.

Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. confirmed the order of the court to return the PDLs to NBP yesterday.

 Catapang said there is already a court order and they will be transferred as soon as possible.

However, Catapang said that not all of the seven PDLs wanted to be returned to NBP.

"There are three who are asking that they remain at SPPF. I am not revealing the names. The request is being heard by the court," he said.

The transfer was conferred by lawyer Filibon Tacardon, the legal counsel of the PDLs, saying there is indeed a court order for their transfer from SPPF to NBP.

The order was issued by the RTC after De Lima filed a motion last 21 November asking for the transfer of the seven PDLs.

The recently freed former senator told the court that she received a letter dated 17 November from the seven PDLs who expressed their intention to recant their testimonies against her and asked that she help their return to the NBP due to concerns over their safety at the SPPF.