More than 600 convicts released under the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) have surrendered, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ).
The number represents less than half of the total 1,914 heinous crimes prisoners released since 2013.
“As of 9:30 this morning, 612 prematurely released PDLs (persons deprived of liberty) have surrendered and are in the custody of BuCor (Bureau of Corrections),” said Undersecretary Markk Perete, DOJ spokesman, yesterday.
Among those who have already surrendered are Ariel Balansag and Josman Azanar, both convicted in the 1997 rape-slay of Chiong sisters Jacqueline and Marijoy in Cebu.
However, Perete said their two fellow convicts, James Anthony Uy and Josman Aznar, remain at large.
“I was informed that Aznar and Uy have yet to surrender,” Perete said. “Like all the rest, they have until the 19th to surrender. Thereafter, the police will also treat them as convicts prematurely released but who will be recommitted to complete the rest of their sentence.”
Duterte has set a Sept. 19 deadline for their surrender.
Republic Act 10592 was passed in 2013 and revised provisions of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) which allowed the earlier release of inmates by granting them more GCTAs.
However, the GCTA processing was suspended and the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) underwent review due to concerns that many undeserving convicts who got released.
On Sept. 4, Duterte gave the freed inmates 15 days to surrender to authorities.
“You surrender and have yourself registered with the BuCor (Bureau of Corrections),” Duterte had said.
“I will give you 15 days liberty, provided you make yourself available anytime that you will be called for investigation to have a re-computation, or if there’s an investigation of corruption that you cooperate fully,” he added.
Duterte warned if they refused to do so they will get arrested and “things can go wrong.”
With many of the prisoners released early on good conduct still unaccounted for, Malacanang has renewed its appeal for their surrender or risk being treated as criminals.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement during yesterday’s press briefing at Malacanang.
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is under investigation because of the questionable release of inmates under the GCTA law.
The controversy led to the sacking of former BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon who succeeded now Senator Ronald dela Rosa.
Meanwhile, Panelo said he will ask Duterte if he knew of the supposed bad blood among his men, including Faeldon, Dela Rosa, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino.
Panelo made the statement after Aquino said that Dela Rosa, during his time, ordered the removal of PDEA’s listening devices inside the penitentiary.
Aquino also said that Faeldon also turned down his proposal to conduct drug tests on inmates.
“I’ll ask him (President Duterte) about it. But meanwhile, you must remember that there is an ongoing investigation of the Senate. So we will have to wait for the findings of the Senate,” Panelo said.
“Has Mr. Aquino submitted a memorandum to the President relative to that? We have to ask him first. If he has, then we will find out what action the President said,” he added. (Jeffrey Damicog, Argyll Geducos)
