CAMP BAGONG DIWA, TAGUIG CITY — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) led a send-off ceremony on November 15 for four former Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) who recently regained their freedom after decades of imprisonment.
On October 25 this year, the OPAPRU and BJMP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), agreeing to collaborate in promoting the culture of peace in the country’s penal system with a focus on fostering social healing and reconciliation among PDLs and their families.
This partnership is focused on helping the PDLs successfully reintegrate into society, rebuild their lives, and reunite them with their families.
In his welcome remarks, JCINSP Isnard C Sempuego, Acting Jail Warden of BJMP, noted that the send off “aligns with the broader peace process championed by the government, demonstrating its full support to PDLs as they transition back to their communities.”
JDir. Ruel S Rivera, DSC, Chief BJMP noted that every Filipino, including all PDLs, have a key role to play in the nation’s pursuit of a just and lasting peace.
“Nakita natin na ang pagbabago sa kulungan ay nandito [na]. Tayo ay magtulungan…unti-unti lang po at makakamit din natin ang kapayapaan, dahil sa paglaya nila [PDLs] sila rin ang ating makakasama,” said Rivera.
Hope for a brighter future
For the past 20 years, the former PDLs had been waiting for the courts to grant them justice after being accused of allegedly taking part in the attacks carried out by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), and as a result, losing years of their lives in prison.
Alias “Aba”, 63, shared that despite the challenges they faced inside the penitentiary and being away from their families, they never lost hope.
“Matagal na naming inaasam-asam [ang paglaya]. At least, dumating ang justice para sa amin. Mag-isa ang asawa kong namuhay sa labas. Masasabi ko [pa ring] namuhay kami ng legal at marangal,” he said.
One of the most difficult parts of the PDLs’ decades-long journey to freedom was the decision of their families to uproot themselves from their hometowns and move to Manila to take care of them.
Most of these families had to sell their belongings and use all their savings to cope with the high cost of living in Manila.
What concerns them the most is how to rebuild their lives after they leave the confines of the Taguig jail.
“Hindi naaalis ang kaba sa puso namin dahil sa mga nangyari sa aming mga kapatid na pagkatapos makalaya ay hinuhuli at kinakasuhan ng bago,” shared alias Taji, 55.
He then appealed to the national government to support them, as they return to their communities and reintegrate into mainstream society.
“Parang bago kaming ipinanganak, mangangapa kami muli…[kaya] hinahangad ko rin na sana mabigyan ng tulong ang aming mga anak,” Taji added.
The four PDLs expressed their gratitude to the BJMP and OPAPRU for supporting them during the crucial period, as they pledged to be instruments of peace as they begin a new chapter in their lives.
“Napakalaking karangalan na binisita ninyo [OPAPRU] kami, lalo na ni Secretary Galvez…handa kaming tumulong sa gobyerno, sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan sa aming lugar. Hindi masasayang ang buhay namin ni isang segundo,” Taji said.
No one left behind in Peace: Bawat Buhay Mahalaga
In his message during the send-off, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., acknowledged the difficulties that PDLs and their families go through, as he vowed to support them as they rebuild their lives and create a better future for themselves and their families.
“Mahirap na ang isang taong malaya ay makukulong ng ilang taon…alam ko ang hinanakit ninyo na minsan, you are living a stigma,” Galvez said.
He reiterated the government’s full support for their reintegration to society and its commitment to create an environment that fosters peace, reconciliation, and most of all, healing.
“Ang gobyerno ay nasa ating lahat…sa Peace: Bawat Buhay Mahalaga, lahat ng tao mahalaga. We [government] want to correct the circumstances behind what happened to you. We will pave the way for you,” he underscored.
On November 16, 2024, four of the PDLs finally went home with their families, while another one is set to go home in July 2025 when his children finish their studies in Manila.
Other than providing support to PDLs, the OPAPRU also shouldered the plane tickets of their wives back to their hometown, as well as provided each PDL with Php 25,000.00 in cash assistance.
Galvez promised that the OPAPRU will continue to communicate with them and ensure their security as they reintegrate back to society.
Galvez encouraged the PDLs to not lose hope and believe that a peaceful and brighter future awaits them and their families.
“Ang importante ay ang kinabukasan. Kung ano ang natutunan natin sa nakaraan, gawin natin itong pundasyon ng hinaharap,” Galvez stressed.###