Almost 10,000 inmates freed due to COVID-19 fears

Manila: The Philippines has released a total of 9,731 inmates in an apparent move to decongest jails as the country grapples with an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, Associate Supreme Court Justice Mario Victor Leonen said on Saturday.

Justice Leonen said the move followed a directive to lower courts to free those prisoners awaiting trial who can not afford bail.

“The chief justice reports that from March 15 to April 29, 9,731 persons under detention have already been released,” Justice Leonen told an online media forum.