Muntinlupa city: Prison officials are set to expedite the decongestion of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, as announced by Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr.

According to Philippines News Agency, Catapang outlined plans to transfer almost half of the 22,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Muntinlupa facility to a newly acquired government property in Central Luzon. "We will be transferring 10,000 to decongest it," Catapang stated, mentioning that the provincial government has allocated 60 hectares in Nueva Ecija for the PDLs in Luzon, north of Metro Manila.

Catapang further discussed the future of high-profile convicts involved in ongoing ghost flood control project cases. These individuals may be housed in a "Supermax" facility under construction in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, expected to be completed within the year. This facility will include a "justice hall" for virtual hearings via Zoom.

The Supermax facility will contain specific areas, including a regional and penal farm, designed for heinous crime offenders. Inmates will be closely monitored, with cells accommodating up to two occupants. Catapang emphasized that inmates will have access to sunlight and opportunities for skills-based jobs, livelihood, and reformation programs, ultimately aiming for their reintegration into society.

Catapang assured that all inmates will be treated equally, with no special treatment, aiming to prevent issues seen in previous administrations. "We want to make sure what happened in the previous administration will not happen again," he added.