87 PDL to be released soon

Eighty-seven persons who were released on the basis of Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) and surrendered shortly after President Rodrigo Duterte issued an order for their recapture will be released soon.

Justice Undersecretary and spokesman Markk Perete on Saturday said the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) have been processing 52 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) who were to be released yesterday.

He said that in the meantime, the Department of Justice (DoJ) BuCor Joint Task Force Friday night has verified for release an additional 35 PDL surrenderers or a total of 87 to be released soon.

The deliberation of the Joint Task Force continue yesterday to prime up those who will be actually released.

BuCor has confirmed the release of the first two batches of 52 PDL-surrenderers and those residing in Metro Manila were immediately released while transportation for those from the provinces is being arranged.

“Unfortunately, we cannot make those certificates publicly available. But they should at the very least contain the following info: Date of and Ground/Basis for Previous Release; Date of Surrender; Re-evaluation Finding; and Basis (Acquittal, Grant of Parole, etc) for Re-Release,” Perete’s message to reporters yesterday stated.

“As of yesterday afternoon, BuCor has reported processing the release of the 52 PDL-surrenderers. Actual release may be made today,” Perete said.

The 87 PDL to be released anew were earlier freed due to acquittal, pardon, and parole, among others, and not due to GCTA.

The said PDLs surrendered after Duterte on 4 September ordered prisoners who have been released because of good conduct credits under Republic Act 10592 to surrender and register themselves with the BuCor in 15 days.