783 BuCor inmates freed

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 783 inmates from prison and penal farms nationwide were released in March, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reported yesterday.

BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the figure is higher compared to the 706 inmates freed in February.

Of those released in March, Catapang said 132 were acquitted, 582 had served their maximum sentence, 20 were granted probation, 97 were granted parole, four were freed on bail and two were given conditional pardon.

BuCor data showed that 394 inmates were released from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa, 96 from Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 65 from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong and 55 from San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm.

Sixty-five inmates were freed from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 48 from Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, 44 from Leyte Regional Prison and 16 from the NBP’s Reception and Diagnostics Center.

There have been 12,836 prisoners released under the administration of President Marcos.

As part of the BuCor’s continuing efforts to decongest the national penitentiary, 500 inmates from Bilibid were recently transferred to the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City.

The Bilibid inmates were released on Sunday afternoon and were escorted by 150 corrections officers.

A total of 2,248 inmates from the NBP have been transferred to various prison and penal facilities since January.