500 inmates transferred from NBP to Zamboanga City

A total of 500 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) were transferred from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) to the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced Thursday.

According to BuCor, the PDLs arrived at the San Ramon penal farm on Wednesday.

Of the 500 PDLs, 147 were from the NBP Maximum Security Camp, 153 from the Medium Security Camp, and 200 from the Reception and Diagnostic Center.

“The transfer of PDLs to various operating and prison farms nationwide is part of Bucor’s program to address overcrowding in the NBP and in preparation for the eventual closure of the correction facility in 2028,” BuCor said in a statement.

The inmates were escorted by 150 corrections officers with augmentation from the Philippine National Police Patrol and Armed Forces of the Philippines, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said. 

Meanwhile, Catapang said the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm also held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a P272 million facility that may accommodate 500 PDLs. 

—Joahna Lei Casilao/ VAL, GMA Integrated News