PDLs, families in emotional reunion as face-to-face jail visits resume

Christmas came early this year for persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and their families after the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) allowed the return of face-to-face visitation that was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," emotions ran high when PDLs saw and touched their loved ones anew at the Mandaluyong City Jail.

“Ayoko siyang bitawan kasi nag-iisa lang siyang babae ko eh. Kaya sabik na sabik ako sa kanya mayakap ko siya,” a visitor said.

“Dati kasi wala, kung sabihan lang kami na pwede. Minsan, dala na lang namin pagkain, ‘di pala pwedeng ipasok. Kahit matanaw. Ang sakit, uuwi kami sa kung ano yung dala namin, dala pa rin namin pauwi na hindi nakarating sa anak ko,” she added.

The resumption of face-to-face visits is an early Christmas gift, the visitor said.

Some inmates also became emotional as they were able to spend time with their relatives.

“Kasi po simula ng nakulong ako, hindi ko na po sila makita mayakap kaya po masaya po kasi nagyon na face to face, magkakaron ako ng pag-asa na mahawakan yung mga anak ko,” an inmate said.

However, not all were given the chance to see their loved ones due to time constraints.

“Bawat floor po may schedule po ng dalaw siya, kasi po hindi nga po lahat ma-accommodate. Twenty-five percent lang po ng total jail population ang mai-a-allow,” said Jail Superintendent Lino Soriano.

Visitors must be fully vaccinated or if not vaccinated must have a negative antigen or RT-PCR test result.

Although the children are not yet allowed to visit, a play area is currently being prepared where inmates can play with their children.

“Napakahalaga po ito sa bata ng maramdaman ng bata na parang normal ang sitwasyon. Malaya po siyang nakikipaglaro, nakikita niya po yung ama niya o ina nya na binibisita niya rito, yung impact po sa emotion ng bata,” Soriano added.

Meanwhile, in Cebu City Jail, regular visitation will return on December 17, 2022.

Male dormitory visitors should have biometrics registration for verification.

Visitation is allowed from Tuesday to Saturday, 1 p.m.  to 5 p.m., depending on the inmate's schedule.

The administration requests live-in partners to bring the certificate of cohabitation issued by the barangay.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News