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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider 75 North Cotabato PDLs freed under SC Justice on Wheels program

75 North Cotabato PDLs freed under SC Justice on Wheels program

Published Dec 1, 2023 08:50 am

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Seventy-five Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in North Cotabato were released through the Enhanced Justice on Wheels (EJOW) program of the Supreme Court (SC) at the Provincial Capitol in Barangay Amas here on Thursday, November 30.

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SEVENTY-FIVE Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in North Cotabato were released through the Enhanced Justice on Wheels (EJOW) program of the Supreme Court (SC) at the Provincial Capitol in Barangay Amas in Kidapawan City on Thursday, November 30.  (Ivy Tejano)

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology said the released PDLs were from the Makilala District Jail, Pigcawayan District Jail, Kabacan District Jail, Kidapawan District Jail, and North Cotabato District Jail.

The accused underwent legal proceedings in various Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) in the province, utilizing SC buses and, in some instances, their makeshift court setups. The mobile court hearing of the EJOW aims to provide swift and easily accessible justice, especially to poor inmates.

Kidapawan Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Presiding Judge Rebecca Elena de Leon said in her message that the EJOW aims to clear court dockets and alleviate congestion in district jails in the province, addressing the two most common challenges faced by courts in the country.

“The innovative effort seeks to bridge the gap between justice and those who seek it, as the court intends to make justice more accessible to the poor, particularly for those who have served their maximum jail term,” said De Leon.

Kidapawan RTC Executive Judge Arvin Sadiri B. Balagot said that the EJOW initially began in the province in 2012 through the initiative of North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza and subsequently continued in 2014, 2016, and 2018.

In 2018, 690 cases were heard and tried in the province, 400 PDLs were released, 30 cases were referred to mediation and nine were successful, 438 PDLs availed of medical services, 110 received dental services, and 34 availed of legal services.

Two years before, in 2016, 180 cases were heard and tried, 95 PDLs were released, five PDLs were transferred to other penal institutions, 25 cases were referred to mediation and 14 were successful, 384 PDLs received medical services, 128 dental services, and 37 availed themselves of legal services.

“We started small. It was just an activity where judges in the province gathered in the Provincial Capitol and promulgated decisions, resulting in the release of several PDLs. The small gathering had a good impact on the people. It also brought us closer to the people,” Balagot said.

Balagot thanked Mendoza in behalf of the Judiciary in the province for her unwavering support and conducting activities in line with EJOW program. He said that EJOW made them feel and seen by the masses.

Mendoza thanked the SC and other stakeholders of the EJOW. She said it is beneficial in expediting the processing of detainees' cases, bringing them hope.

“The provincial government of Cotabato is always mindful of the human rights, even those inside our district jails, and we will be your partner as always, together with our law enforcers and other local government units (LGUs),” Mendoza said.

Dubbed “Proof of Concept: Videoconferencing Bus,” the 5th EJOW and the Increasing Access to Justice by the Poor Program event in North Cotabato aims to assist PDLs in swiftly resolving their pending cases and decongest PDLs in the province.

The government also released livelihood assistance for the freed PDLs. A ceremonial burning of drug exhibits, destruction of gambling paraphernalia, and turnover of firearms, explosives, and other deadly weapons were held simultaneously with other activities.

As part of the EJOW event on Thursday, the SC, with the provincial government and partner stakeholders, visited the North Cotabato District Jail where PDLs received medical, dental, and legal services.

The government disseminated information through a lecture to newly elected barangay officials and held a dialogue among justice sector stakeholders, attended by SC Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier.

Related Tags

Kidapawan City PDLs EJOW Supreme Court North Cotabato
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