The New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) released 63 inmates as the country celebrated Independence Day yesterday.
Sixteen of the 63 prisoners, aged 70 and above, were granted conditional pardon by President Arroyo. The remaining detainees were all awarded parole based on the recommendations made by the Board of Pardons and Parole.
The NBP officials made the announcement after the flag-raising ceremony held at the prison compound around 8 a.m.
Superintendent Ramon Reyes, officer-in-charge at the NBP Superintendent Office, said several of these inmates were convicted of rape, homicide, murder and estafa.
Bureau of Corrections chief Oscar Calderon said they were not only setting the men free but also assisting them to safely reunite with their families in the provinces.
“We will provide their travel expense. We will also send them off to the port and give them allowance,” he said.
Calderon said they intended to break the news to the prisoners while the country is celebrating Independence Day. He said that the announcement was made at the right time.
He expressed confidence that those released will be able to join the mainstream society once again since they have been taught livelihood skills that can help them earn a living even after life in prison.
“I even challenged those in the minimum security detention and the living out prisoners to be patient and serve their terms well for them to get out of detention soon,” Calderon noted.
The release of the inmates is in compliance to a Malacañang order granting pardon to those 70 years old and above.
Calderon said the move also aims to decongest detention cells in the NBP. “There are so many prisoners now and it is just proper to review their respective cases so that we will know who deserves to get out of jail already,” he added.