THE BUREAU of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) vowed to continue its intensified commitment to the humane safekeeping and improvement of the lives of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) under its care.
During its 34th founding anniversary Wednesday, BJMP chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera said jail congestion further eased as about 85,183 PDL were released in the past year, through legal aid and paralegal services, in partnership with the Supreme Court, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and law schools nationwide.
He also said the decline in the national jail overcrowding rate, from 358 percent in 2023 to 296 percent in 2025, was made possible through intensified paralegal assistance and the construction of new jail facilities.
In the past year, nine jail buildings were constructed, six perimeter fences and one functional area were completed, while 19 perimeter fences and 15 functional areas are underway.
And as part of its anti-illegal drug efforts, the BJMP, alongside the Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, said it has secured 230 drug-free jail certifications and 77 drug-cleared facilities, while conducting more than 314,819 greyhound operations nationwide.
Rivera also commended the vigilance of jail personnel in preventing contraband smuggling.
“Kapuri-puri rin ang sipag at husay ng ating mga searchers, gaters, at custodial officers na naka-kumpiska bago maipasok sa ating mga pasilidad (Also commendable are the diligence and skill of our searchers, gaters, and custodial officers who confiscate [the contraband] before they enter our facilities),” said Rivera.
Among the confiscated items were nearly 500 grams of shabu, 33 grams of marijuana, and 83 mobile phones.
“Kung kayang maisalba, amin silang tutulungan (If we can save them, we will help them),” the BJMP chief said, referring to the Jail Bureau’s rehabilitative thrust.
Through the Katatagan, Kalusugan at Damayan sa Komunidad (KKDK) program, 3,152 PDL with substance use issues completed reformation programs in the past year.
In addition, 66,354 PDLs engaged in livelihood activities that generated more than PHP116 million in income, while 95,585 PDLs benefited from e-Dalaw or electronic visitation.
Education also remained the BJMP’s top priority, where 10,739 PDLs graduated from elementary and high school under the Alternative Learning System (ALS), while 112,707 completed skills training, and 107 earned college degrees under the College Education Behind Bars program. A total of 720 PDLs are currently enrolled in various tertiary programs.
“Simple lamang ang ating mensahe. Hindi kailanman hadlang ang kawalan ng kalayaan sa pagkamit ng pangarap na makapag-tapos ng pag-aaral (Our message is very simple. The lack of freedom is never a hindrance to achieving the dream of completing education),” Rivera said.
No special treatment
Meanwhile, the BJMP said it also ensured the political participation of PDLs, with 31,689 PDLs successfully casting their votes during the May 2025 National and Local Elections, in line with the agency’s commitment to upholding their constitutional rights.
To prove that none of the PDLs are getting preferential treatment, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, for his part, assured the public that former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr. will not be allowed to go under arrest.
Remulla said Teves has already been cleared for discharge by the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and is, therefore, fit for incarceration.
He further said that the former congressman shall not be afforded any preferential treatment while inside the jail facility, and will be treated in the same manner as any other PDL.
He said the BJMP will continue to ensure the safety of Teves and all PDLs in its custody.
To boost operational capacity and ensure safer jail environments, 2,400 new Jail Officer 1 (JO1) took their oath of office, improving the PDL-to-officer ratio from 1:42 to 1:36. This increase, combined with other security measures, contributed to a 10-percent reduction in jail incidents, said the BJMP.
It said that personnel development also remained the bureau’s priority, with 1,499 promotions processed and more than 27,000 awards and commendations conferred.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the recognition of four jail officers from Parañaque City Jail who thwarted an armed ambush and escape attempt of a high-profile PDL in April.
“Para po sa kaalaman ng ating mga panauhin, ang ating mga jail officers po ay tinambangan, at ang kanilang sakay na PDL ay tinangkang itakas. Sa kabila ng panganib sa kanilang kaligtasan, hindi nagpa-tinag sina JO3 Leif Joseph Talanquines, JO2 Angelo Badong, JO2 John Aldrin Manalang, at JO2 Cedric Carag (For the information of our guests, our jail officers were ambushed, and their passenger PDL tried to escape. Despite the danger to their safety, they did their job),” Rivera shared.
The gallantry of the four BJMP personnel earned them the Medalya ng Kabayanihan.
The Jail Bureau also said it has earned praise for its PDL Assessment and Classification System for terrorism-related and violent extremist offenders.
“As the Jail Bureau steps into another year of service, it reaffirms its role in ensuring justice with compassion and transforming lives, even behind bars,” the BJMP said. (PNA)
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