The government’s decongestion program, spearheaded by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), has resulted in the release of 18,947 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the first three years of the Marcos administration.

Under the initiative, championed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, BuCor continues to implement measures aimed at easing prison overcrowding while preparing for the planned closure of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in 2028.

Remulla previously revealed that the NBP compound will be repurposed into a commercial area, BuCor headquarters, and housing for corrections personnel. Meanwhile, the remaining PDLs will be transferred to regional prisons across the country.

525 PDLs freed in January

In the latest batch of releases, 525 PDLs regained their freedom in January, including 50 individuals who attended a culminating event held at the Grotto of Our Lady of the Rosary inside the NBP Reservation in Muntinlupa City.

The released individuals came from various correctional facilities across the country: Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), Mandaluyong City — 27; CIW, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm — 1; CIW, Mindanao — 8; Davao Prison and Penal Farm — 71; Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm — 52; Leyte Regional Prison — 27; NBP Maximum Security Camp — 73; NBP Medium Security Camp — 82; NBP Minimum Security Camp — 81; NBP Reception and Diagnostic Center — 3; Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm — 66; and San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm — 34.

Reasons for release

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. stated that the PDLs were released for various reasons, including expiration of maximum sentences (412); acquittals (68); bail grant (1); expiration of sentence after commutation (1); granted probation (4); habeas corpus (5); parole (32); and transfer to jail due to other pending cases (2).

With the continued implementation of the decongestion program, the government remains committed to upholding justice while improving prison conditions and reintegrating rehabilitated individuals into society.