THE NORTH Cotabato provincial government and the Supreme Court freed at least 75 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) on Nov. 30 in a ceremony held at AMAS, Kidapawan City.
The PDLs were released through the Enhanced Justice on Wheels (EJOW), a program of the Supreme Court that promotes the immediate action and settlement of cases to unclog the overpopulated jails in the country.
The EJOW is now on its fifth time in the province, through the support of Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, starting in 2012, followed by 2014, 2016, and 2018.
The ceremony was graced by Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier, Kidapawan City presiding judge Rebecca Elena De Leon, other judiciaries, and provincial government officials.
In her speech, Javier said they hope to expand the EJOW’s area scope to reach the remotest locations of barangays in the country.
“Let justice continue to go on despite the distance,” Javier said.
The EJOW buses has two main sections, one that serves as the courtroom, and the rear section serves as a mediation room, provided with a presiding judge, a clerk of court, a prosecutor, a public attorney, a court stenographer, a docket clerk, a process server, a driver, and a security guard.
A medical and dental mission is also being provided under the EJOW program, legal aid, and livelihood assistance for PDLs.
