‘Heed pope’s call on releasing deserving PDLs’

MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (CBCP-ECPPC) has called on President Marcos to heed the call of Pope Francis to release “deserving” persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) this Christmas season.

In a statement dated Dec. 19, CBCP-ECPPC chairman and Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon underscored that giving PDLs the freedom will enable them “to start a new life as free and potentially productive citizens of the country.”

“The pope has asked for a ‘gesture of clemency’ for prison inmates in the spirit of Christmas. He believes that prisoners should not be deprived of hope and instead be given the chance to redeem themselves,” Legazpi said.

“We urge our local authorities, especially our Executive Branch headed by our President, to heed His Holiness’ call by granting executive clemency and to set free those deserving persons deprived of liberty,” he added.

The prelate issued the statement after Pope Francis recently released a letter addressed to heads of state worldwide, calling for the release of prisoners who are held “to be eligible to benefit from such a provision.”

The CBCP-ECPPC joins the call of Pope Francis, according to Legazpi.

Aside from this, the CBCP official noted that they also appeal to the judiciary “to hasten the wheels of justice to enable especially those unjustifiably detained to be released from detention” as he emphasized that giving PDLs their liberty “can build their lives anew.”

Legazpi said PDLs could rebuild themselves through restorative and transformative justice systems in the Philippines.

Before this, the government, through the Department of Justice, the Public Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Corrections have already initiated the release of deserving PDLs ahead of the Christmas season.