On 16 January 2026, the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) officials headed by the Superintendent, C/SSUPT ROGER O BONCALES together with the Biyaya Animal Care headed by its CEO and Founder, MS. RINA ORTIZ, convene to discuss the issue regarding maltreatment of animals particularly cats at NBP, Muntinlupa City.
In order to clarify the issue and to uncover the truth behind, the two parties sat down on a table for dialogue. Based on a certain mainstream media as reported by an ex-offender incarcerated before in the NBP, he witnessed a cruelty both done by the personnel and other Persons Deprived of Liberty (PsDL) on cats inside the prison compound. This statement was refuted by C/SSUPT BONCALES and all of the NBP Camp Commanders, as a matter of fact, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) had already established a relationship with the Biyaya Animal Care way back three (3) years ago, working hand in hand in vaccination of animals and promoting animal welfare inside the prison facility.
The recently released cats last Wednesday that was accepted by the Strategic Power for Animal Respondents (SPAR) – Philippines was an action taken by the NBP Superintendent to curb the rising cases of cat bites and scratches report. The BuCor recognizes the importance of animals for PsDL as their emotional support that could ease their agony and longingness while serving their sentence. In this connection, C/SSUPT BONCALES, ordered C/CINSP MARLON E MANGUBAT, Deputy Superintendent for Security and Operations of NBP, to conduct a study on how to implement animal companionship to PsDL without raising the risk of rabies infection.
At the same time, the Biyaya Animal Care imparted solution to BuCor in controlling the population of cats which is castration. They shared that one (1) castrated animal could prevent 1,000 births. The Biyaya Animal Care also said that they are willing to provide PsDL a program or proper training on taking care of animals that they could use even in their release. They also expressed their willingness to employ released PsDL that could provide their needed workforce.
The BuCor Director General, GENERAL GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.), CESE, CCLH, through the Superintendents of the Operating Prisons and Penal Farms (OPPFs), continues to explore holistic ways for reformation of PsDL and ensures that both human and animal welfare is considered and no animal cruelty exists and tolerated within the Bureau.
