There have been more than 80,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) released by the courts nationwide since the government implemented community quarantines, said Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said on Friday (Oct. 23).
“From March 17, 2020, ang total po niyan na-release ay 81,888,” he said during an online Meet the Press event as cited latest figures as of Oct. 16.
Peralta said that among them there were “46,032 PDLs na-release po sa videoconference” including 880 children in conflict with the law (CICL).
The chief justice cited that 19,173 of those released benefited from the Supreme Court (SC) circular which allowed reduced bail.
Also, he said there were 2,980 PDLs who were released since their detention period was already as long as the minimum sentence they were supposed to serve if convicted.
Yung 19,173 under circular 38-2020…ni-reduce namin yung bail, inallow namin yung recognizance, yan po ang nagbenefit sa videoconferencing, 19173
“Meron din yung 8,669, ito po yung nag-apply ng probation,” he added.