The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday, August 14, said it has no overstaying persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in its prison facilities nationwide
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said in a statement that “we adhere to the guidance set forth by Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla that those who are eligible for release should be released without further delays which he called ‘real justice in real time.'"
Thus, Catapang said the Bucor’s PDL Documents and Processing Division (PDPD) headed by CSInsp. Raymund Peneyra has been conducting an information drive to PDLs to help them in their transition post-incarceration.
“As early as this year, I ordered the evaluation of prison records or karpetas of all PDLs with strict orders to my personnel that I want the PDL’s to have the knowledge about their legal documentation and to provide them with comprehensive information on their prison records and the procedures related to their release while in custody,” he said.
“Gusto ko kasi na kahit sinong PDL ang tanungin ko kung kailan sya lalaya, alam n’ya ang issasagot nya (I want everytime I ask a PDL they know when they will be released)," he added.
Catapang issued the statement after learning that a PDL in Cavite has overstayed his detention due to negligence.
He said the delay was caused when a court staff failed to deliver the release order and, because of this, “nanatili siyang nasa piitan ng apat na taon pa ganong ang sintensya nya ay tatlong taon lamang (he stayed in detention for four more years when he was only supposed to stay for three years.).”
So far, the BuCor has released a total of 15,382 PDLS from June 2022 to July this year, he also said.