PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — Some 300 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from National Bilibid Prison (NBP) arrived in the city of Puerto Princesa, comprising the third batch of transferees to Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF).
Information officer CTO II Levi Evangelista said Tuesday that all male PDLs under medium security arrived on December 10 via commercial vessel from NBP in Muntinlupa.
“Dinala (natin sila) sa Central and Montible subcolony na kung saan sila ay makakatulong natin sa pagpapalawak din ng agrikultura at bilang reformation activities ng mga PDL,” he said.
It will be the last batch of transferees from NBP for 2023. According to Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr., a total of 2,500 PDLs are expected to be transferred to IPPF.
BuCor personnel escort the PDLs at the Puerto Princesa Port (Photo from Levi Evangelista/ IPPF)
The bureau has already transferred 1,300 PDLs starting in June in an effort to decongest NBP. Catapang envisions transferring out all PDL from NBP by 2028 and transforming it into BuCor Global City.
Evangelista has no information yet if there will be another batch of female PDLs from Mandaluyong Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) to be transferred to IPPF.
IPPF converted its Sta. Lucia subcolony as CIW after the first transfer in June.
Despite the increase in the number of PDLs, Evangelista assured that it will not be challenging for IPPF to manage security due to additional personnel sent by the bureau.
IPPF has almost 500 personnel guarding around 3,500 PDLs in four subcolonies. The penal prison is also looking forward to having an additional number of personnel join its force after the ongoing training. (RG/PIA Mimaropa – Palawan)
Banner photo courtesy of Levi Evangelista / IPPF
