BuCor transfers 450 PDLs to Iwahig, to close Bilibid by 2028

The Bureau of Corrections yesterday transferred 450 persons deprived of liberties to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa, Palawan as part of its continuing effort to decongest penal facilities.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said the 396 PDLS from the medium security compound, four from maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City and 50 from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City were escorted by 150 guards on board commercial vessel 2GO.

This brings to more than 1,500 the total number of PDLs transferred to IPPF and Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro.

Apart from decongestion, "Oplan Lipatan" is being implemented to isolate PDLs from nefarious activities.

This is also in preparation for the planned closure of NBP and CIW by 2028 as the 357-hectare property of NBP will be transformed into a government center and food and transportation hub, Catapang said.

"We really need to close NBP since it is no longer practical for us to stay here where high-end residential subdivisions are now located, and residents around the area are apprehensive and fear for their safety should a prisoner escape," Catapang added.