The Department of Justice through the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) led by Director-General Gregorio Catapang, Jr. released 783 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) during the culminating activity today at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

Coined with the theme “Pagpapalakas ng Programang Pang-Repormasyon Tungo sa Tagumpay at Panibagong Ambisyon,” Undersecretary-in-Charge for Corrections Cluster Deo Marco, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida V. Rueda-Acosta and Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) Chairperson Sergio R. Calizo joined the BuCor Director-General during the ceremonial rites.

The PDLs released came from different prison and penal facilities nationwide under the BuCor such as the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF), Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) and many more.

“Your resilience and perseverance in life within the difficult walls of prison is a living testament that anyone who falls can rise even stronger, wiser and better,” Sec. Remulla stressed.

As reported by the BuCor, the PDLs were freed under different modes such as acquittal, parole, conditional pardon, cash bond, bail bond, expiration of maximum sentence, expiration of maximum sentence with Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) and many more.

“The release of these PDLs not only addresses congestion in our prison and other detention centers but allows them to reintegrate to mainstream society,” added the Secretary.

The Justice Secretary urged the PDLs never to turn back, “March forward with unwavering determination, you have a whole new lease on life.”

BuCor recently transferred 500 PDLs from the New Bilibid Prison to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) in Occidental Mindoro as part of its efforts to decongest the national penitentiary.