Latest news with #BJMP
GMA Network
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Manila City Jail screens 'Green Bones' for PDL inmates
The Manila City Jail held a special screening of "Green Bones" for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL). On social media, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Manila City Jail Male Dorm shared some snaps of the inmates watching the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture on July 9. According to the post, the screening aimed to offer inmates a meaningful and reflective experience. It also served as a therapeutic and rehabilitative tool, encouraging PDLs to reflect on their life choices, express their emotions, and foster a more positive outlook toward change. The film, produced by GMA Pictures, is directed by Zig Dulay based on an original story by JC Rubio, senior documentary manager of GMA Public Affairs. It follows Domingo Zamora (Dennis Trillo), who is notorious for the murder of his sister and her daughter. Now that Domingo is up for parole, the newly assigned prison guard (Ruru Madrid) takes a personal interest in making sure that he remains behind bars no matter what. "Green Bones" won several awards at the MMFF 2024, such as Best Picture, Best Screenplay (Ricky Lee and MMFF 2023 Best Screenplay winner Angeli Atienza), Best Actor (Dennis), Best Supporting Actor (Ruru), Best Cinematography (Neil Daza), and Best Child Performer (Sienna Stevens). It also won First Best Picture, Best Actor (Dennis), Best Supporting Actor (Ruru), and Best Director (Direk Zig) at the 3rd Gawad Dangal Filipino Awards. "Green Bones" is currently streaming in Netflix. —Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
14-07-2025
- GMA Network
219 inmates graduate from ALS at Bansud and Cagayan de Oro City Jail
A total of 219 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Oriental Mindoro and Cagayan de Oro City completed their elementary and high school education through the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology's (BJMP) Alternative Learning System (ALS) for the 2024–2025 school year. At Bansud District Jail in Oriental Mindoro, 35 PDLs graduated. According to Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo, BJMP MIMAROPA Regional Information Officer, the graduation, now in its eighth year, was held under the theme 'Henerasyon ng Pagkakaisa: Kaagapay ng Bagong Pilipinas.' Senior Inspector Nelmar Malilmata, Acting District Jail Warden, praised the six elementary and 29 junior high school graduates for their hard work. He thanked ALS facilitators, education partners, and prison teachers for making the program possible. 'Through initiatives like ALS, we give hope, empower PDL-learners to rewrite their life stories, and help them become productive members of society,' Anglo said. Certificates of completion were awarded by District ALS Focal Person Francisco Alinio, with official recognition from Public Schools District Supervisor Dr. Genalin Alinio. Keynote speaker Donalyn De Guzman Jamilla encouraged the graduates to continue learning throughout their lives. Meawhile, EPSA I Odesca Salazar commended BJMP personnel for implementing programs that help PDLs build better futures. The ceremony also marked the success of the Silid-Kulay ng Pag-asa classroom project, which was funded through proceeds from an October 2024 fun run. By February 2025, it had enrolled 52 PDLs, 23 in elementary and 29 in junior high school.
GMA Network
12-07-2025
- GMA Network
PDL finishes high school through ALS; ranks second
A 25-year-old man in Misamis Oriental graduated high school under the Alternative Learning System (ALS). He even finished second of his class. But unlike the 91 other graduates, Calvin John Niño Nuez was not free to celebrate however he wanted. He is a person deprived of liberty (PDL) at El Salvador City Jail. He is behind bars for carnapping and illegal possession of firearms charges filed in 2024. 'This is a testament na ang effort sa BJMP na i-develop atong mga PDL is effective dili lang sa educational program sa BJMP,' El Salvador City Jail Warden, Jail Senior Inspector Don Felix Boado, said. In his speech during the graduation, Nuez expressed his gratitude to those who supported him throughout his academic journey. He also encouraged his classmates to continue their studies so they can graduate and find decent jobs. 'Dili gyud ta motuo sa istorya nga taas na ang lubi para mo-eskwela pa ta… dili pa ulahi ang tanan… dapat kung naa ta sa jail, diha ta mokuha og kusog,' Nuez said. The jail management noted significant positive changes in Nuez since his detention. Nuez continues to receive intervention from BJMP to help prepare him for life after release. 'Kung unsa man pwede nila i-avail sa mga early releases like plea bargaining, probation, ginatabangan nato sila para mas mapaaga. Additionally, naa tay good conduct time allowance,' Boado said. Nuez took the opportunity to also ask for forgiveness. 'Mangayo ko og pasaylo ug nakita nako ninyo karon sa TV nga tarong na nagbinuotan na gyud,' Nuez said.
GMA Network
04-07-2025
- GMA Network
BJMP: 7 PDLs earn college degrees behind bars, 35 currently enrolled
Seven persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have earned college degrees while in detention, and 35 more are currently enrolled in higher education programs—part of a sweeping initiative by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to rehabilitate inmates through education, legal aid, and improved jail conditions. Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said the agency is ramping up partnerships with educational and justice institutions to equip PDLs for reintegration into society and reduce repeat offenses. 'It boosts the morale, and improves the rehabilitation of the PDLs para kapag sila ay lumaya, hindi na sila mag-commit ng crime upon release,' he said. (It boosts morale and improves rehabilitation so that when they are released, they're less likely to reoffend.) Through collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), the BJMP has made entrepreneurship courses accessible behind bars. 'May 35 presently enrolled behind bars, at sila ang mga naka-enroll sa entrepreneurship courses. Ito ang majority dito sa PUP, pakikipag-ugnayan ng ating Manila City Jail," the BJMP official said. (There are 35 PDLs enrolled in college, mostly in entrepreneurship courses through PUP in coordination with Manila City Jail.) Bustinera also cited support from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which provide Alternative Learning System (ALS) education and vocational certifications to PDLs. 'Sa CHED, nakapagtapos tayo ng 7 PDL ng college at ongoing 30 plus na enrolled in college education.' (Through CHED, seven PDLs have graduated, and over 30 more are currently enrolled.) To support this learning, the BJMP has begun improving digital infrastructure for online and hybrid classes. 80,000 inmates released, congestion drops 296% Over the past year, more than 80,000 PDLs have been released, contributing to a dramatic 296% drop in jail congestion nationwide. 'Meron po tayong humigit 80,000 na PDL na pinalaya natin through our paralegal services. Ito po yung mga jail officers natin na nakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga korte, sa kanilang mga abogado para mapabilis ang paglilitis ng kanilang kaso,' Bustinera said. (We released over 80,000 PDLs through paralegal services, with officers coordinating with courts and lawyers to speed up trials.) 'Bumaba ho ng 296% ang ating congestion rate. Matatandaan, galing po ito sa 314–334% last year hanggang 600% back in 2018.' (Our congestion rate dropped 296%. It was 314–334% last year and reached 600% in 2018.) The BJMP worked closely with the Supreme Court, Public Attorney's Office (PAO), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and law schools under Justice Zone programs to fast-track the release of qualified or overstaying detainees. 'Ito po yung pakikipag-ugnayan rin sa ating mga korte para mabigyan sila ng hearing… at mabigyan ng pagkakataon ng other modes of release katulad ng recognizance, ng bail.' (This includes coordination with courts to ensure hearings and explore other release options like recognizance and bail.) Bustinera proudly reported that BJMP now has zero overstaying PDLs under its custody. 'Wala po tayong overstaying na PDL. Lahat po na may sentensya di na po natin pinapatagal. Kung the moment na release na sila dapat lumaya na sila,' he noted. (We have no overstaying PDLs. Once a detainee has a release order, they are freed immediately.) Jail construction helps ease overcrowding The BJMP's decongestion drive is reinforced by ongoing infrastructure expansion, especially in highly congested areas. Out of 484 jail facilities nationwide, 142 are newly built, while over 40 more are under construction. 'So ito po primarily din bukod sa paralegal efforts… ito yung isang major contributor din ang pag-decline ng ating siksikan sa loob ng ating piitan,' he added. (Aside from legal aid, facility expansion is a major factor in reducing jail overcrowding.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
02-07-2025
- GMA Network
No hospital arrest, no preferential treatment for Arnie Teves —DILG
Former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr. will not be under hospital arrest or given preferential treatment after his discharge from the Philippine General Hospital, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday. In a statement, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Teves was cleared for discharge by the hospital 'and is, therefore, fit for incarceration. ' Remulla stressed that Teves shall not be afforded any preferential treatment while inside the jail facility and will be treated in the same manner as any other person deprived of liberty (PDL). The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will continue to ensure the safety of Teves and all PDLs in its custody, according to Remulla. Teves was allegedly the mastermind in the killing of then Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4, 2023 in his residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. But Teves has denied the accusation. On Tuesday, Teves' lawyer Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said the former lawmaker has been given clearance to be discharged from the PGH. Teves will be returned to his detention cell at the BJMP in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, according to the lawyer. The accused is still experiencing abdominal pains and will remain under medical watch after he underwent appendectomy at PGH on June 18. Teves is facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder case over the alleged killing of Degamo and others. He is also facing an illegal possession of firearms and explosives case before a Manila court. He has refused to enter a plea in his cases, prompting various Manila courts to enter a not guilty plea for him. Due to the surgery, his arraignment for one of his murder cases before a Manila court was rescheduled to July 14. He and several others have also been charged for the alleged killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019. The Anti-Terrorism Council has designated him and others as terrorists, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental. —KG, GMA Integrated News
