Ex-PDLs barred entry to BuCor's prison facilities unless registered as visitors of detained relatives
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officials and personnel have been ordered to enforce strictly the ban on the entry of former persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in prison facilities nationwide.
In a statement on Thursday, Dec. 21, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said the ban against former prisoners was issued in 2011 and 2018.
Aside from banning their entry, former PDLs are not allowed access into prison camps even if they are hired as helpers, drivers or volunteers in religious organizations in order to prevent the use of such undertakings as a cover for any illicit activity, Catapang said.
“BuCor personnel and corrections officers who will be found violating the order, will be dealt with accordingly,” he warned.
Catapang issued the directive as part of the measures to stop the entry of contraband into the prison facilities.
“Smuggling of contrabands is a very lucrative business in prison camps and some ex-cons find their way into the camps to do their illegal trade,” he said.
But former PDLs are still allowed to visit their detained relatives.
“Ex-convicts who have incarcerated relatives may be allowed entry to visit their immediate relatives provided that their names are included in the list of PDL’s visitors,” Catapang said.
“In cases that their names are not included, they may be added in the list upon the request of the concerned PDL and only upon showing that the PDL will benefit from such visit,” he said.