On 04 July 2025, HON. JESUS CRISPIN “BOYING” C REMULLA, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary, attended the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) 5th Culminating Activity for the release of 145 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) with the theme “Tunay na Pagbabago, Tagumpay ay Matatamo,” held in front of the Administration Building, National Headquarters, New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Reservation, Muntinlupa City.
The release is part of 1,004 releases from 13 June to 03 July 2025 through the coordinated efforts of the Management Screening Evaluation Committee (MSEC), the PDL Documents and Processing Division (PDPD), and the Separation Center Offices across all Operating Prisons and Penal Farms (OPPFs), ensuring the efficient release of PDLs. Moreover, the event was organized by the Directorate for External Relations and Reintegration Services (DERRS), led by CT/SUPT NOEL M MARQUEZ, DVM, DPA, Director of DERRS, and CT/INSP STELLA MAY C LAT, Chief of the External Affairs Division (EAD), in coordination with the External Affairs Section (EAS) of all OPPFs.
Notable attendees included DOJ USEC DEO L MARCO; DOJ ASEC FRANCIS JOHN L TEJANO; DOJ ASEC JOSE DOMINIC CLAVANO IV; BuCor DIRECTOR GENERAL GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.), CESE, CCLH; BuCor ASEC AL I PERRERAS, Deputy Director General for Administration (DDGA); Representatives from the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) and Public Attorney’s Office (PAO); and BuCor key officials.
The total number of released PDLs resulted from simultaneous culminating programs conducted across the various OPPFs, including 90 at the NBP, 23 at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), 14 at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF), 10 at the Leyte Regional Prison (LRP), five (5) at the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF), two (2) at the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF), and one (1) at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF).
The successful release of the PDLs, conducted under the leadership of DG CATAPANG, marks a significant milestone in the commitment of the BuCor to offering transformative opportunities. Likewise, the presence of HON. SECRETARY REMULLA underscores the commitment of the DOJ to uphold justice and reinforce the value of reintegrating the reformed PDLs into the community.
