Manila, Philippines - The Army and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) yesterday signed an agreement that would allow inmates to stay at Camp Peralta, the third largest military installation in the country.
The transfer of inmates from the Leyte regional prison was in line with President Aquino’s aim to decongest the inmates at the BuCor.
Lt. Col. Aniano Orap-Orap Jr., camp commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) and BuCor Inspector Danilo Rufloe, who represented Superintendent Robert Rabo, signed the agreement.
“We will look at you even as we know your status, with some of you to be freed within a few years, now part of the 3rd Infantry Division,” Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commander of the Army’s 3rd ID told the inmates.
Mabanta said the presence of inmates in their camp would not pose a security threat to their troops.
”We welcome the BuCor inmates in their transition to a life outside the prison. Their presence will also boost our manpower. Soldiers who usually do the maintenance (works) can now (focus on) equally and more important tasks to fulfill our mandate,” Mabanta said.
“They would finish their sentence after two years, some after three years and these people were chosen on the basis of their discipline,” he added.
Mabanta said the military camps of the Tanay-based 2nd ID and the 7th ID in Nueva Ecija also host inmates.