Almost 200 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and personnel of the Bureau of Corrections have been tested positive with the 2019 coronavirus, said Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete on Wednesday (May 27).
“Based on the latest report issued by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), as of 25 May 2020, a total of one hundred sixty one (161) Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) have been confirmed infected with Covid-19,” he said in a statement.
“Six (6) PDLs have died of the disease, while thus far, eight (8) have recovered,” he added.
Among the cases, Perete said the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City has the most number with 82 PDLs and 26 personnel who were found to have the virus.
The Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City has 79 PDLs and five personnel who also have the virus.
Perete said the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City only has 19 PDLs who are suspected with COVID-19.
“No cases of Covid 19 have been reported in the four other penal farms and colonies under the BuCor,” he reported.
On the other hand, the undersecretary assured that more testing will conducted in BuCor facilities as 1,500 rapid tests kits for use on PDLs are set to be delivered this week.
Perete said the Department of Justice (DOJ) will also be providing laptops to the BuCor so PDLs can participate in the “e-dalaw program” which would allow inmates to communicate with their families.
