Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 28) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government said overcrowding in jails across the country was reduced following the release of 74,590 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from January to October this year.
“Ang overcrowding noong January ay 281%, ngayon lumalabas nasa 238% na. So nababawasan natin ito ng husto at magtatrabaho pa tayo tungkol dito,” DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said in a statement on Tuesday.
[Translation: Overcrowding in January was at 281%, but now it’s 238%. So we have reduced it and we will further work on this.]
The DILG said most were either released on bail, acquitted, or on parole and probation.
Thousands were also transferred to the Bureau of Corrections, youth detention facilities, the National Center for Mental Health, and drug reformation centers.
“Ang tema rito ay koreksyon, makorek kung ano man ang pagkakamali – wala naman taong hindi nagkakamali – at para huwag nang bumalik uli,” Abalos said.
[Translation: We need reformation, to correct their mistakes – everyone makes mistakes – and to make sure they don’t go back to prison.]
