Perfect joy and happiness reflect the faces of the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) in Siquijor province as they welcome visitors bringing gifts while singing joyful songs with them.

Secular Franciscans and other good samaritans from the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) Siquijor Region with the Franciscan Youth (YouFra), Parish Youth Council (PYC) of Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor, and some generous local and foreign individuals from San Juan, Siquijor came and shared gifts of delicious food, water, and other sanitary items with the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) at the Siquijor District Jail in Caipilan, Siquijor, Siquijor.  

It can be recalled that during the Infosharing and  35th Anniversary of the Siquijor Association of Information Disseminatord (SAID), the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP) Siquijor District Jail through its Jail Officer 1 and Community Relations Service Custodial Ray Aboso announced its opening for families, relatives or friends who would like to visit their loved ones after the more or less two years of no face to face visit due to the pandemic.

“Ang usa pa sa mga atoang gi-implement karon after pila na ka tuig is naa nay dalaw sa jail. Gitawag og pisikal dalaw, face-to-face contact. Karon, nabalik na ang face-to-face nga dalaw. Kung naa moy mga paryente nga nay mga PDL pwede… para sad ma-inform sila nga pwede na sila mo bisita sa atoang jail (One of the policies that we implemented  after the pandemic is that we allow face to face visit/contact already. If you have relatives or members of the family who are PDL, you are now free to visit them),” he said. 

Aboso added that private organizations, government groups or any individuals who wish to share their goods with the  PDL are also welcome.

Before the food was served, a Eucharistic Mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Leonard Tan, resident priest of St . Francis of Assisi Parish – Siquijor to boost the hope of the PDLs and instill courage in them so they could overcome the trials they may encounter while they are inside the jail.  

A group of individuals also rendered a simple yet joyous presentation that made the PDLs feel the spirit of Christmas behind the iron rails and away from their loved ones.  

One of the PDLs expressed his gratitude to the generous people who came to visit them, and for sharing not only their food and other presents but also their precious time by which they could have spent it with their families and other loved ones instead of them.  

“Labaw pa sa mga butang nga bahandi diri sa kalibutan ang inyong gi hatag kanamo, ang kalipay gyud nga way pagkatapos, ang kalipay nga nagahatag ug kadasig kanamo, naghatag ug paglaom alang sa among kaugalingon ug alang usab sa among pamilya. So niining takna sa kahaponon, daghan kaayong salamat sa inyo, mga visitors (More than any treasures on this earth, you have given us and our families, joys, encouragement, inspiration and hope. Thank you for spending time with us)," one PDL said.

The good Samaritans came all the way from the far-flung areas of Siquijor Province but were still able to travel to Siquijor District Jail to impart their blessings with the PDL.  

The persons deprived of liberty were happy to see their presents as reflected by the smiles on their faces. A simple act of goodness by the good Samaritans will always remain and will have a place in every PDL’s hearts. (RAC/NRO/PIA7 Siquijor)