BuCor Hails Judiciary’s Plan for Summit to Tackle PDLs’ Prolonged Detention
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) welcomed the Judiciary’s proposal for a summit that aims to address the issue of the prolonged detention of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), a move seen to alleviate the overpopulation in the country’s jails.
A According to Philippines News Agency, the Supreme Court’s initiative to organize a National Jail Decongestion Summit with the Justice Sector Coordinating Council is set to examine the underlying causes of prolonged detentions, which significantly contribute to the overcrowding of detention facilities. Catapang stated that BuCor is in favor of the Supreme Court’s efforts to put in place new policies that would hasten the judicial process and the release of PDLs eligible for freedom.
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo’s recent visit to the National Bilibid Prison – Medium Security Camp and the Pasay City Jail was highlighted, where he engaged with PDLs, affirming the Judiciary’s commitment to the cause. Furthermore, under the ‘Bilis Laya’ program led by Catapang, BuCor has successfully overseen the release of 6,322 PDLs. These individuals were released for reasons including the completion of their sentence term, acquittal, parole, probation, or posting of cash bond.
The Bureau is also embarking on strategic initiatives as part of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, aiming to initiate the regionalization and establishment of Heinous Crimes facilities and to implement land utilization strategies as per RA 10575, also known as The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013. The plans include the development of separate male and female facilities for each region, excluding the National Capital Region, a heinous crime facility for each major island group, and collaboration with the Department of National Defense – Armed Forces of the Philippines for land exchange to support the establishment of these facilities. Additionally, BuCor is working on the reclamation of underutilized lands that have been previously allocated to it in Mindoro, Palawan, Davao del Norte, and Zamboanga.