BuCor frees 234 inmates

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections released yesterday 234 inmates from various prisons under the supervision of the BuCor.

Of the number, 128 inmates were freed from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, 47 from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm and 21 from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong.

Sixteen inmates were freed from the Ramon Prison and Penal Farm; Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, 12; Leyte Regional Prison, seven, and Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, three.

The BuCor said 106 inmates were released on parole, 104 have completed their maximum sentence with Good Conduct Time Allowance or GCTA and 12 have been acquitted of the charges filed against them.

The BuCor said eight inmates had their maximum sentence expired due to the GCTA under Department of Justice Order No. 953.

Two inmates were granted probation while another was released through habeas corpus.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and BuCor officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang Jr. witnessed the release of the inmates from the national penitentiary.

“From this day on, you are not persons deprived of liberty anymore. You are free now – free at heart, of mind and sufferings,” Catapang said in his speech.

Remulla said they are eyeing to release 5,000 more inmates by June next year to decongest prisons across the country.

He said 600 inmates may be freed soon through executive clemency.

The names of 318 inmates have been submitted to the Office of the President for executive clemency through parole, pardon or commutation of sentence, according to Remulla.