500 Bilibid's PDLs transferred to San Ramon Prison in Zamboanga City
Five hundred persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City left early morning on Tuesday, Oct. 21, for their transfer to the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF) in Zamboanga City.
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said the PDLs boarded a transport ship at the Port of Manila and are expected to arrive at SRPPF on Thursday, Oct. 23.
It said the transfer is part of the continuing efforts to decongest the NBP for its eventual closure in 2028 and for its planned conversion into a government center.
The 500 PDLs are escorted by 150 BuCor personnel, including members of its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) division, and medical personnel.
Last Aug. 15, a total of 300 NBP’s PDLs were transferred to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Meanwhile, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. approved the recommendation of Deputy Director General for Operations Assistant Secretary Gil T. Torralba to allow the PDLs of the various operating prison and penal farms (OPPFs) to receive visitors from Oct. 20 to 25.
The BuCor said the move is part of the celebration of National Correctional Consciousness Week (NCCW).
It said the visiting hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday.
For those at the NBP’s maximum security compound, the visiting days will be from Tuesday to Sunday.
Catapang has ordered all BuCor personnel to implement appropriate measures to ensure the safe, orderly, and secure conduct of the visiting activities within their respective jurisdictions, in full compliance with existing security and health protocols.