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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider More than 28,800 PDLs from BuCor's prison facilities freed since July 2022

More than 28,800 PDLs from BuCor's prison facilities freed since July 2022

Published Dec 31, 2025 12:19 pm
More than 28,800 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been released from the prison facilities of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) since July 2022.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said on Wednesday, Dec. 31, said those released were more than the number of PDLs freed during the past three administrations.
Catapang, who became BuCor officer-in-charge in October 2022 and director general in March 2023, said the release of the PDLs shows “a strong commitment of this administration to justice and rehabilitation, thereby promoting the reintegration of individuals back into society.”
He noted that among those released since July 2022 were 18,222 PDLs whose jail sentences had expired and others who secured their freedom through various means like parole and acquittal of their criminal charges.
With the release of PDLs, Catapang said the congestion rate at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City had dropped by 69 percent from 356 percent in 2022.
He recalled that when he became BuCor’s head, the NBP had more than 29,000 PDLs. Now there are 21,000 PDLs at the NBP, he also said.
He added that the decongestion of the NBP was achieved through the construction of new dormitories and the transfer of more than 13,000 PDLs to other prison facilities.
Also, Catapang said the BuCor focused on personnel management under his leadership.
He said that 4,240 new personnel were hired with 900 of them promoted.
He also said 10,000 personnel benefited from the comprehensive education and training programs.
On the other hand, 177 personnel who failed to meet the required standard of service were either dismissed or reprimanded “to uphold integrity within the system,” he stressed.
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