DSWD supports early release of elderly, sick prisoners

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) expressed its support to a proposal made by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso to temporarily release “on bail” elderly and ailing detainees in congested prisons as a humanitarian move while the country battles the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

As the “lead social protection agency” of the government, the DSWD agreed the move was well advised at this time of national emergency, and noted that the elderly, especially those with underlying illnesses, as well as the sickly are vulnerable to COVID-19.

“Staying in crowded jails would expose them to greater risk of contracting the disease, aggravating their situation,” the welfare agency said in a brief statement issued yesterday.

“DSWD hopes that all concerned agencies will be able to immediately consider this proposal and ensure that compassion and humanitarian considerations will be upheld during this time of public health crisis, it said.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra yesterday said he had ordered the Bureau of Corrections and the Board of Pardons and Parole to speed up the release of old and sick prisoners or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). 

Even before relatives of 22 political prisoners asked the Supreme Court (SC) to release them, Guevarra said he had given instructions to the BuCor and BPP to quickly process the release, and determine who are qualified to avail themselves of executive clemency. 

“Let me tell you that even before COVID-19 broke out, the DOJ had already directed the Bureau of Corrections and the Board of Pardons and Parole to speed up the release of, or the grant of executive clemency to, old and sickly PDLs,” he said.  

Guevarra was one of 11 government officials and officers named respondent in the petition filed by relatives asking the SC to grant the release of 22 political prisoners from detention, either through personal recognizance or posting of bail. 

They were assisted by the Public Interest Law Center and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers when they filed the 62-page petition before the SC last April 8.  

But Guevarra said up until yesterday, he has not yet received a copy of the petition.  – With Evelyn Macairan