MANILA, 12 June 2026 — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) joined the national commemoration and celebration of the 128th Philippine Independence Day, held under the theme “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan,” at Rizal Park and the Quirino Grandstand.
HIS EXCELLENCY FERDINAND “BONGBONG” R MARCOS JR. led the national flag raising and wreath-laying rites at the Rizal Monument, paying tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal and the generations of Filipino heroes whose sacrifice paved the way for the country’s independence.
Following the solemn rites at Luneta, PRESIDENT MARCOS proceeded to the Quirino Grandstand for the civic-military parade, where contingents from various government agencies, uniformed services, and civic organizations participated in the national celebration.
The BuCor contingent, led by BuCor Director General, GENERAL GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret), CESE, CCLH, took part in the national celebration and joined the civic-military parade, representing the Bureau’s disciplined service and commitment to the Republic.
Joining the Director General were ASEC GIL T TORRALBA, Deputy Director General for Operations (DDGO); C/CSUPT CELSO S BRAVO, Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee (BAC); ATTY. CEASAR ANTHONY S. SOLIS, CPA, MBA, Director, Directorate for Comptrollership (DC); MS. JORDINE ROSE R. OCON, CrFA, MPS, Director of the Directorate for Planning and Management (DPM) and Chief of the Strategic Communications Office (SCO); MS MARIA CIELO O MONSALUD, Director, Directorate for External Relations and Reintegration Services (DERRS); ATTY. FERDINAND V BALDUMAN, Director, Directorate for Intelligence and Investigation (DII); C/SSUPT ELSA A ALABADO, Director, Directorate for Personnel and Human Resource Division (DPHRD); C/SSUPT DAISY SEVILLA-CASTILLOTE, Superintendent, Correctional Institution for Women (CIW–Mandaluyong); CT/SSUPT DOROTHY C BERNABE, Director, Directorate for Reformation (DR); C/SSUPT GARY A GARCIA, RCrim, MSCA, Superintendent, New Bilibid Prison (NBP); C/SSUPT LUCIO C GUEVARRA, M.M., Acting Director, Corrections National Training Institute (CNTI); C/CINSP EUSEBIO B DEL ROSARIO JR., MPA, Deputy Director of DERRS; CT/SINSP LARIZA V MARTIN, OIC of the Directorate for Reception and Diagnostics (DRD), Deputy Commander for Security and Operations; ENGR. AL CIR JUAN RAÑOSA, Acting Director of the Directorate for Engineering Services (DES); MR. DALMACIO L. CARINGAL, Director, Directorate for Personnel Education and Training Services (DPETS), and MR. WILLIAM M. TERRADO, Director, Directorate for Logistics (DL).
The BuCor marching battalion was led by C/SINSP REGINO A DEVARAS, together with his Battalion Staff: C/SINSP MA. CRISTALEE A FERNANDEZ, C/SINSP MARK MELVIN D ROSERO, C/SINSP FRANCIS JADE A PAJUNAR, C/SINSP MARLYN P SULPOT, and C/SINSP LEOPOLDO C BANIQUED JR. Leading the three (3) companies were C/SINSP ROBIN A GACIAS, C/SINSP SAADUDDIN D CAUNTONGAN, and C/SINSP ALEXANDER ALBERTO S SIASAT.
BuCor’s participation placed the corrections service within the larger national narrative of public duty, institutional reform, and service to country. As the agency mandated to safekeep and reform Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL), BuCor carries a role that directly supports justice, reformation, and social reintegration.
The Bureau’s presence in the civic-military parade reflected the professionalism and unity of its personnel, as well as its continuing transformation into a modern, accountable, and reform-oriented correctional institution. Alongside other government agencies and uniformed services, BuCor affirmed that national freedom is sustained through strong institutions, responsible citizenship, and faithful public service.
Through its participation in the national rites and civic-military parade, the Bureau honored the legacy of the nation’s heroes while renewing its pledge to serve the country with discipline, integrity, and purpose.
