President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the government to provide free legal assistance to inmates who may already qualify for release, as part of efforts to ease overcrowding in jails.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos Jr. wants the cases of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) reviewed to determine who may already be eligible for release after serving their sentences.
“Bunga rin ito ng malasakit ng Pangulo na mapalaya ang mga taong hindi na dapat nakakulong. Ayon sa Pangulo, may mga PDL na ang problema ay maaaring simple lang kagaya ng hindi nila alam kung ano ang dapat gawin o kung paano aasikasuhin ang kanilang kaso,” Castro said.
Marcos Jr. also called on local government units to develop programs that would allow law students and their professors to help inmates with their legal concerns.
The President raised the matter during a joint meeting of the National and Regional Peace and Order Councils at Malacañang Palace on October 16.
Castro said the initiative aims to ensure that those who are legally entitled to freedom are not kept behind bars unnecessarily.
“Naniniwala ang Pangulo na makatutulong ang ganitong hakbang upang mapalaya na ang dapat mapalaya at mabawasan ang pagsisikip sa mga kulungan o jail congestion,” she added.
Marcos Jr. also stressed the role of barangays in maintaining peace and order, allowing police officers to focus on serious crimes and threats to public safety.IMT
