I am an inmate—a person deprived of liberty—of the Medium Security Compound, New Bilibid Prison, Camp Sampaguita, Muntinlupa City. I have been confined here since Nov. 6, 2009, for the crime of technical malversation. My case is now with the Third Division of the Supreme Court, pending review. I was sentenced to 20-40 years of imprisonment, a penalty later reduced to 13-19 years.
I was delighted to read the Inquirer’s April 14 editorial titled “Modern prison project.” No doubt, the project will partially solve the problem of congestion in the New Bilibid Prison.
However, allow me to share some down-to-earth suggestions to solve jail congestion, without waiting for March 2019—the target date for the completion of the P50-billion modern prison project.
Unknown to many, there are thousands of inmates—sentenced or with pending appeal cases, who are qualified for release under our existing laws—Republic Act No. 3815 (old) or RA 10592 (new).
The reality is, once we reduce the number of inmates at the New Bilibid Prison by 50 percent, there would be no need to transfer to a new prison facility in Nueva Ecija. And this we can accomplish by implementing RA 10592—by retroactive application, as well. No need for the private sector to finance such a project.
The problem is the law’s IRR (implementing rules and regulations) has been bastardized by the interior secretary and justice secretary, the two Cabinet officials tasked with the drafting of the instrument. Why are we afraid to release prisoners? Are we afraid that our government will no longer have to spend money?
I hope I am clear about my position. Palayain ang dapat palayain (Set free those who ought to be free).
—GILBERT R. WAGAS, Muntinlupa City