Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said he has been trying to recruit international criminal justice expert Dr. Raymund E. Narag to head the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“Kinukuha ko nga siya kung pwede if he can chair the Parole and Probation Administration para mapaluwang natin ang ating mga kulungan at tsaka lalong lalo mabigyan ng pansin ang ating mga nakakulong (I have been asking him if he can chair the PPA to help in the decongestion of the prison facilities and give attention to prisoners),” Remulla said during an interview on DZRH on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
He said he has been making consultations with the United States-based professor who has already experienced being in prison for seven years in the Philippines but was finally acquitted and released.
After his acquittal and release from jail, Narag completed his doctorate degree in the United States and started to mentor criminology students in different countries.
“Siya (Dr. Narag) ang aking kinukunsulta tungkol sa decongestion at tsaka tungkol sa mga buhay ng persons deprived of liberty at kung ano nangyayari sa loob yung kultura ng ating jail system (I have been consulting him regarding decongestion and about the life and culture of prisoners),” Remulla said.
DOJ Spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano said that Remulla and Narag met at the DOJ last July 7.
Aside from Narag, Remulla said he has also been making consultations with former Police Senior Supt. Michael Ray Aquino who was jailed in the US for overstaying his visa and illegal possession of classified documents in 2007.
Aquino fled to the US after he was charged in the deaths of publicist Salvador Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito.
Remulla said: “I actually had very good conversations with Michael Ray Aquino about his experience in jail. I was always in contact with him.”
He added that he has been Aquino’s friend for over 25 years.