Over 100 inmates released on Christmas Eve

MANILA, Philippines — Over 100 inmates and inmate returnees had a happy – and free – Christmas after being released from the national penitentiary by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Christmas Eve.

A total of 106 individuals composed of 59 parolees and 47 returnees were released on Tuesday, the BuCor said.

Yesterday, 28 others were brought out of the penitentiary. Three were regularly released by acquittal, while 25 returnees were freed.

The release of persons deprived of liberty is a tradition at the bureau every holiday season.

In a statement, the BuCor said the release is a “timely gift for prisoners to be with their loved ones this Yuletide season.”

President Duterte had directed BuCor chief director general Gerald Bantag to speed up the processing of documents, evaluation and release of inmates.

More inmates and returnees are expected to be released in the next few days as the process is now “in full swing,” documents sections chief Albert Manalo and lawyer Julie Anne Taguiam said.

The issue of the release of inmates has been controversial this year as questions were raised on the implementation of the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law.

Following the controversy of GCTA under the leadership of then-BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon, Duterte asked those who were released to come back and stay there until things are sorted out.

Some returnees died when they returned to the national penitentiary.

The GCTA of both inmates and returnees are now being reviewed under tight scrutiny.