BuCor transfers 450 prisoners to Iwahig

MANILA, Philippines — At least 450 prisoners were transferred yesterday from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa and Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

Bureau of Corrections director Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the transfer is in line with BuCor’s efforts to decongest Bilibid and the CIW.

BuCor said 396 inmates from the medium security compound, four from the maximum security compound and 50 from the CIW were sent to Iwahig.

There are now more than 1,500 prisoners that had been transferred to Iwahig as well as the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro.

Around 150 BuCor personnel escorted the inmates on a 2GO vessel. They are expected to arrive in Palawan by noon tomorrow.

Under Oplan Lipatan, BuCor aims to transfer prisoners to various penal farms in preparation for the closure of the NBP and CIW in 2028.

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

He said the 357-hectare Bilibid would be used ”for better purposes” such as a government center and transportation hub.