Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who are eligible for parole to relieve overcrowding in the country’s jails, according to Malacañang.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos made the order on Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting.
Marcos mentioned that “most of the PDLs are languishing in jail because they can’t afford the services of good lawyers,” citing his experience as Ilocos Norte governor.
“Wala naman silang magaling na abugado [They don’t have good lawyers]. So that’s why we are in favor now to release many of them,” the chief executive said. “They just needed representation to set them free. So let’s continue with that.”
Marcos also expressed support for the DOJ’s plan to transfer hardened criminals to an Alcatraz-type prison, which is designed to isolate inmates from the general population and put a stop to their criminal activities while behind bars.
He underscored the need to transfer stubborn inmates to special facilities as he pointed out the rampant corruption inside the Bureau of Corrections.
“Iyan ‘yung mga ganoon, we have to do that para hindi na ka maka-contact [so they no longer have contact]. Alam mo, we have to isolate them properly,” Marcos said.
The PCO further said the DOJ is planning to decongest jails by transferring the maximum security compound in Muntinlupa City to a dedicated facility in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. The agency also eyes creating separate heinous crime facilities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
