Koronadal City, February 14, 2024 – In a heartwarming celebration of love on Valentine’s Day, the South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center (SCRDC) played host to a Mass Wedding for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), organized by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) South Cotabato-Gensan Chapter.
Six couples, eager to formalize their unions, exchanged vows in a civil ceremony, a testament to the belief that love knows no boundaries, not even prison walls.
The ceremony was presided over by Vice Mayor Erlinda “Bing Pabi” Araquil, who served as the Acting Mayor of the City of Koronadal for the event. In a heartfelt statement, Vice Mayor Araquil remarked, “We feel a little pain while these lovers walk. This proves that their love is stronger and there is no fence that can stop their love.”
Lawyer Josemar Albano, IBP South Cotabato-Gensan Chapter President aimed to emphasize that the circumstances of being incarcerated should not hinder individuals from forming families and asserting their rights to each other.
The Mass Wedding not only symbolizes the resilience of love but also highlights the importance of recognizing and upholding the rights of all individuals, regardless of their current situation. The IBP’s commitment to promoting justice, inclusivity, and human rights was evident in this unique and touching celebration of love behind bars.
