South Cotabato-September 2, 2025 – Provincial Warden Juan R. Lanzaderas Jr. of the South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center (SCRDC) will retire on September 9 after nearly a decade of service, remembered for a leadership that upheld discipline while giving persons deprived of liberty the hope of a second chance.
Lanzaderas, who assumed the post in 2018, will be remembered not only for his years of duty but for a legacy that emphasized compassion, rehabilitation, and second chances for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
“From my experience, I always tell my colleagues, it is our duty to show them that people can still change, that they still have a chance,” he said in a statement.
Since his appointment, he carried one guiding belief: that every person, regardless of their past, deserves an opportunity to change.
“The role of a jail officer extended beyond enforcing rules and ensuring discipline,” he said.
He believed that jail personnel must also serve as mirrors of goodness and hope for PDLs, many of whom, often struggle with acceptance and opportunities for reform.
Throughout his service, he consistently highlighted the importance of seeing PDLs not only for the mistakes that placed them behind bars but also for their potential to rebuild their lives.
Under his leadership, the jail placed greater emphasis on rehabilitation, reminding both officers and inmates that change is possible when given the right guidance and environment.
As he steps into retirement, Lanzaderas leaves behind a message that mistakes do not define a lifetime and that kindness, compassion, and hope can play a vital role in transforming lives.
“Even inside the walls of a detention facility, second chances are possible,” he added.
