500 PDLs transferred to Zamboanga

MANILA, Philippines —  Another batch of 500 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) was transferred from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa to the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City.

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said among those transferred were 147 prisoners from the maximum security camp, 153 from the medium security and 200 from the reception and diagnostics center.

The PDLs were secured by 150 corrections officers, including members of the BuCor’s Special Weapons and Tactics team, escort team and medical personnel as well as police and military officers.

The relocation of PDLs to various prisons and penal colonies in the country was intended to improve prison conditions, decongest cells and prepare for the NBP’s  planned closure in 2028.

Catapang also announced the groundbreaking for the construction of a P272-million facility at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan for women prisoners.

The new correctional institution for women will accommodate 500 prisoners and is expected to be equipped with modern amenities, including a building designed to house 10 PDLs per cell.

“The construction of the new facility is a step forward in promoting a more humane and effective criminal justice system in the country,” Catapang said.