MANILA — The Bureau of Corrections is pushing for the "compassionate release" of the seriously ill and elderly Persons Deprived of Liberty or PDLs.
Under the program, PDLs who are terminally ill and those who are 70 or older will be allowed to go back to their families.
"We have to give them their dignity and their human rights even if nakakulong po sila (even if they are in prison)," said BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr.
Catapang said the BuCor will have to check if the PDLs considered for compassionate release pose a threat to public safety and if they have families to go home to.
"So, siguro kung wala na siyang babalikan maghahanap tayo ng other avenues o mga institusyon na puwedeng kumuha sa kaniya, alagaan ang ating mga matatandang may sakit," Catapang told "Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon" of PTV.
(If they have no families, we will look for other avenues or institutions that may take them in and care for them.)
Elderly, ill political prisoners deserve bail as much as ex-senators do — KAPATID
Catapang clarified that a medical parole team will have to assess elderly and sick PDLs and that compassionate release will not be automatically granted.
The potential release will also have to go through parole boards, the justice secretary and the president.
The BuCor chief said the bureau has managed to lower the congestion rate of prisons to 200% capacity from 350%.
"So bago matapos itong 2028 baka ano na po, hindi na po tayo congested," he added.
(So, before the end of 2028, we may no longer be congested)
Catapang said Marcos Jr. has authorized the release of the most PDLs, with 30,000 freed in just three years.