DOJ needs one more week to look into release of low-risk offenders amid COVID-19 crisisMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice needs at least another week to study the proposal for the release of low-risk offenders to decongest penal facilities under the Bureau of Corrections amid COVID-19 crisis. 74 PDLs and 80 BuCor staff are considered persons under monitoring, while two PDLs and a BuCor personnel are deemed persons under investigation. BuCor has yet to respond to Philstar.com’s query on how many PDLs have since been released. The Justice chief explained that PDLs in BuCor facilities are those serving final judgment. This means that the release of low risk offenders would also fall under the jurisdiction of the executive branch and need approval of Duterte, the Justice secretary added.

Source: Philippine Star April 15, 2020 09:11 UTC