108 inmates freed days before Christmas

Local

CHRISTMAS came early for dozens of detainees in Mandaue City as 108 persons deprived of liberty were granted freedom just days before the holiday.

The inmates at the Mandaue City Jail–Male Dormitory were released on Monday, December 22, 2025, after qualifying for the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) under Republic Act 10592.

The law allows persons deprived of liberty to earn sentence reductions through good behavior, participation in rehabilitation programs, and engagement in productive activities, enabling earlier release while helping ease congestion in detention facilities.

The release was conducted during the city’s Christmas GCTA-Based Release and Reintegration Ceremony led by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Mandaue City.

Jail officials said the timing allowed qualified inmates to spend Christmas with their families and begin rebuilding their lives outside detention.

Jail Superintendent Jessie James Gingoyon said the Mandaue City Jail–Male Dormitory continues to face severe congestion, currently housing 1,659 male persons deprived of liberty despite an ideal capacity of only 400, or more than 300 percent congestion.

He said programs such as the GCTA help manage jail population levels while reinforcing discipline and reform.

During the ceremony, the released individuals changed from yellow jail uniforms to white shirts, symbolizing their transition from incarceration to freedom.

The shirts were part of a donation from the ABS-CBN Foundation in collaboration with Colegio de La Inmaculada Concepción, which provided clothing support to all 1,659 persons deprived of liberty at the facility

Upon their release, the former inmates received assistance from the Mandaue City Government through the City Social Welfare and Services Office.

The city distributed rice and Christmas gift bundles to help them address immediate needs as they returned to their families and communities.

Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano also distributed Christmas gift packs as part of the city’s holiday initiatives.

Officials said the GCTA-based release highlights continuing efforts to promote rehabilitation, provide second chances, and support the reintegration of former inmates, particularly during the Christmas season, when freedom and family reunification hold special significance.(MyTVCebu)