SEN. Ronald “Bato”dela Rosa yesterday called on the Department of Justice to order the Bureau of Corrections to stop persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from ordering food online, saying it defeats the purpose of having them confined so they can be reformed.
“It defeats the purpose of having them confined and undergo rehabilitation if there are external factors involved,” Dela Rosa told radio dzBB.
Dela Rosa made the remark after BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. said PDLs have been allowed to accept food from online apps using the bureau’s laptops for “e-dalaw” or electronic visitation due to a lack of food at the NBP.
Catapang said the families of PDLs order food for the inmates which will then be delivered to the NBP.
Dela Rosa, who was appointed the BuCor chief by former President Duterte after he retired as PNP chief, said he never allowed such practice during his time.
He said if this will continue, the chances of having the PDLs reforming are slim.
“Nothing will happen. That prison facility will become an ordinary school dorm. This should be stopped,” he said.
While he understands the budget for food at the NBP is small, he said no one complained about it during his stint as BuCor chief.
“That will depend on how you manage the mess requirements of the BuCor. I warned my men then that the last thing you will pocket would be the food budget for the PDLs,” Dela Rosa said.
