152 PDL in Roxas City ready to vote in Oct. 30 BSKE

By Felipe V Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – More than 100 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Barangay San Jose, Roxas City are ready to exercise their right to suffrage this coming October 30, 2023, Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) following their registration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Jail Senior Inspector Rodel Morales, BJMP jail warden, said the 152 PDLs were qualified to cast their votes after they were able to transfer their voting place in Barangay San Jose here.

“Actually, there were 157 PDLs that registered with the Comelec but 5 are already out from the BJMP after serving their jail term or have posted bail,” Morales said.

At present, the BJMP has 300 male PDLs in 10 detention cells.

The number of inmates is way above the congestion rate of the jail facility under the United Nations standard.

Morales has reminded the BSKE candidates that entering the detention cell and distributing goods to the PDLs are prohibited.

He added that there are protocols to be followed should they want to campaign with the registered PDLs.