BuCor set to transfer 4,150 PDLs from Bilibid to Davao Prison until Dec. 31
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is set to transfer until Dec. 31 this year 4,150 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City to the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) in Davao del Norte.
In a statement, BuCor said the transfer of the PDLs was mentioned by Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. in his report to the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chaired by Sen. Francis Tolentino.
BuCor saie that "at least 1,000 PDLs have been transferred to Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) in Palawan and to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) in Mindoro as part of the current thrust of decongesting NBP…”
The report to the Senate also cited the reforms being implemented by Catapang since he assumed the top post at BuCor.
It said hat “a total of 5,602 PDLs were released from detention from November 2022 to August 2023 as part of the ‘Bills Laya Program’.”
It also said the bureau implemented “Operation Oplan Baklas” that resulted in the dismantling of walls of 2,812 “kubols” or shelters which is aimed at “eliminating PDL’s individual sanctuary, exposing hidden contraband and monitoring the PDLs' activities in plain sight.”
It noted that it has confiscated “3,292 various types of contrabands including eight firearms with ammunitions and one hand grenade which were turned over to Firearm Ordinance Section, 804 improvised deadly weapons, 252 cellular phones which were turned over to NICA (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency) digital forensic examination, 180 electronic devices, nine sachets of Shabu which were turned over to PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), and cash money amounting to P149,743 deposited to the Camp Evidence Custodian.”