Over 7,000 persons deprived of liberty released in 2024

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government has released a total of 7,707 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from various correctional facilities this year, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said on Monday, Dec. 30.

The last 1,000 PDLs got out of detention from Nov. 26 to present.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said that out of the 1,000, one was granted a motion for release, 625 completed their maximum sentences, 134 were acquitted, 38 were granted probation, 190 got parole, 11 were freed through habeas corpus or a constitutional remedy from unlawful detention, and one was turned over to jail.

A culminating activity, attended by 152 PDLs, was held on Monday morning at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Meanwhile, Catapang said PDLs eligible for release under the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law will be let out early next year instead of end-2024. The GCTA is a privilege to prisoners that allows him/her to reduce his jail or prison term or sentence service as a reward for good behavior.

The effectivity clause of the revised implementing rules and regulations of the Revised Penal Code prompted the delay, said Catapang.

Since Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assumed his post in 2022, about 18,000 PDLs have been released.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.