The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reported that approximately 11,347 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released from numerous operating prisons and penal farms from June 2022 to January 2024.

In a statement on Sunday, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the prisoners were released under the “Bilis Laya” program, which also aligns with the ongoing efforts to decongest the maximum security compound.

He added that data showed that the BuCor has released about 5,327 inmates and admitted an average of 7,823, with 632 PDLs released from the confinement bureau for January alone which is an equivalent of 11.4%, higher than the 20-month average releases of 567 inmates.

Catapang also reported that their office has already transferred 459 inmates to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Saturday night to resolve the overcrowding problem in the New Bilibid Prison.