The Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) announced that it had released a total of 1,004 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from June 13 to July 3, including the 90 individuals who attended Friday’s culminating ceremony at New Bilibid Compound in Muntinlupa City.
In a statement on Friday, the Bucor said that the majority of them, or 815 individuals, were set free after having served their sentences while 94 were paroled.
Some 61 were released after being acquitted while 16 were granted probation, with the balance being freed for other reasons.
Bucor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said this brings to 24,583 the total number of PDLs released under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Under Department Order 652 issued last year by the Department of Justice, the release of all PDLs incarcerated in national penitentiaries with expired sentences shall be approved by the BuCor’s Director General or his duly authorized representative.
However, the release of PDLs sentenced to life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua or those classified as high-risk/high-profile shall be implemented only upon prior approval of the Secretary of Justice.
The released PDLs were detained at various penal facilities nationwide.