BuCor: 328 prisoners freed

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 328 inmates will be reunited with their families this Christmas after they were released yesterday from prisons supervised by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) nationwide.

According to BuCor, 118 of the released inmates were from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, 76 from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 44 from the Iwahig Prison, 28 from the Leyte Regional Prison, 24 from the Sablayan Prison and 23 from the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm.

Thirteen inmates from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City and two from the Philippine Military Academy were also freed.

Of the number, 129 were released on parole while 154 had served their maximum sentence with good conduct and time allowance or GCTA.

Fifteen inmates were freed after serving their maximum sentence with GCTA under Department Order No. 953.

Eight others were aquitted, one was granted probation and another was released under cash bond.

A total of 33 senior citizens were also released by the BuCor.

The BuCor said the release of inmates sentenced to life in prison required the approval of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

BuCor officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang Jr. said they are eyeing to double the number of inmates to be released next year.