UK eyes prisoners transfer pact with PH

MANILA, Philippines — The United Kingdom has asked to negotiate a transfer of sentenced persons agreement (TSPA) with the Philippines, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday.

“Once the request is formalized through the Department of Foreign Affairs, the UK and the Philippines will exchange drafts as a prerequisite to negotiations,” Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete told reporters.

He said the request was relayed by British Embassy Consul Martin O’Neill on Monday.

Through a TSPA, UK nationals convicted of crimes in the Philippines will serve the remainder of their sentences in their home country while Filipinos imprisoned in the UK will continue their sentences here.—Dona Z. Pazzibugan