Manila, Jan. 7 -- The long Christmas and New Year holidays saw a surge in visits to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said on Wednesday.

In his report to BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., NBP acting superintendent, Supt. Roger Boncales, said 7,168 relatives and friends of PDLs trooped to the NBP to be with their loved ones between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2.

He said of the number, 4,676 were regular family visits, and 2,492 were stay-in or conjugal visits.

Catapang said for many inmates, these visits are a lifeline, providing emotional support and a reminder of their lives outside the confines of the corrections facility, and the ability to spend ...