Manila, Philippines – The alarming issue on overcrowded jails in the country continues to cause public concern as recent records from the Philippine National Police showed that 13 out of the 17 regional police offices have congested detention facilities.
Data from the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office showed that Calabarzon Police Regional Office (PRO 4-A) has the highest congestion rate (45.35 percent), with 78 of its 172 custodial centers deemed overcrowded.
Following the PRO 4-A is the National Capital Region Police Office, with 29 of its 70 custodial centers also packed (41.43 percent).
The data as of March 31, 2018 was released by the PNP Public Information Office to the media Friday.
Third is Central Visayas (PRO 7) with 36.71 percent congestion; Central Luzon (PRO 3), 29.94 percent; Socsargen (PRO 12), 10 percent; Davao (PRO 11), 8.57 percent; Western Mindanao (PRO 9), 7.14 percent;
Bicol (PRO 5), 5.93 percent; Mimaropa (PRO 4-B), 5.56 percent; Caraga (PRO 13), 4.67 percent; Ilocos (PRO 1), 2.96 percent; Northern Mindanao (PRO 10), 2.43 percent; and Western Visayas (PRO 6), one percent.
On the other hand, the Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO COR), Cagayan Valley (PRO 2), Eastern Visayas (PRO 8), and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO ARMM) have no congested jail facilities.
“The regions which are not included in the list are not congested,” said the PNP-PIO.
The PNP, through spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, has said they are addressing the issue by seeking a bigger budget which will enable them to build more detention facilities.
“We are doing our best to include in the proposed budget the construction of new police station buildings with improved detention facilities,” Bulalacao said. (Martin A. Sadongdong)
