Former person deprived of liberty Gerardo dela Peña (Photo courtesy of Kapatid - Families and Friends of Political Prisoners)
MANILA – The release of one of the country's oldest persons deprived of liberty (PDL) spells a hope of liberty for other inmates, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.
In a news release Tuesday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the release of Gerardo dela Peña, 85, whose sentence was ordered commuted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is a testament to the country's working corrections system.
“I wish Mr. Dela Pena well as he embarks on a new journey of his life. This serves as a beacon of hope to other qualified PDLs,” Remulla said.
He said this also shows the President's unwavering dedication to improving the country’s correction system.
He said this is a part of the government's jail decongestion efforts to aid PDLs in their reformation and prepare their reintegration into society as better citizens.
Dela Peña was released from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) on June 30, following an order signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin which commuted his sentence to a definite 12 years.
Remula said Dela Peña's Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) credits of 11 months and 15 days also paved the way for his freedom.
He, meanwhile, said Dela Peña was convicted of murder, a common crime, and not for a political crime.
Meanwhile, prisoner's rights group Kapatid thanked Remulla for facilitating the release of the 85-year-old PDL. (PNA)
The Philippine News Agency is a web-based newswire service of the Philippine government under the supervision of the News and Information Bureau (NIB) of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).