BuCor frees 1,009 PDLs, total releases near 29,000

A total of 1,009 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) between 1 November and 12 December, marking another milestone in the government’s continuing efforts toward rehabilitation and reintegration.

With the latest batch, the total number of PDLs released from June 2022 to 12 December 2025 has reached 28,616.

The releases were formally recognized during a ceremony at the BuCor National Headquarters in Muntinlupa City, where Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida served as guest of honor. In his message, Vida encouraged the released individuals to think of their families when faced with decisions that could lead them astray.

Vida also called on the public to offer understanding and second chances to former PDLs, stressing that rehabilitation and reintegration are shared responsibilities. He further assured that the Department of Justice and BuCor are prepared to assist the released individuals in securing necessary documentation to help ease their transition back into civilian life.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr., meanwhile, highlighted that many of those released gained employable skills through training programs conducted in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) while in custody.

Catapang said the released PDLs came from the following facilities: New Bilibid Prison with 360 individuals, Correctional Institution for Women with 56, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm with 108, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm with 98, Leyte Regional Prison with 89, Davao Prison and Penal Farm with 153, and San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm with 145.

The modes of release included acquittal with 147 cases, probation with 28, habeas corpus with 38, parole with 240, transfer of custody with one case, and expiration of maximum sentence with 555 individuals.