1,900 inmates freed by BuCor can be considered fugitives: PNP

September 2, 2019

The head of the Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Monday said the 1,900 inmates allowed to be released by the Bureau of Corrections ( BuCor) can be considered as “fugitives” if the Department of Justice decides to reverse their decision.

In a press conference, Police General Oscar Albayalde said the prisoners who got released through the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law can be arrested without a warrant once the decision gets invalidated.

“These persons were convicted by the court to serve prison sentence for their crime. Should there be any nullification or invalidation of their early release from prison, these convicts will be treated as fugitives from justice, thus warrantless arrest is applicable,” Albayalde said.

He said they are ready to field tracker team to assist the BuCor in accounting for the prisoners who were released.

“They will be given due notice but I’m sure not everyone will go back (to prison),” Albayalde said.

Based on BuCor’s data, a total of 1,914 prisoners convicted of heinous crime have been granted early release since 2014 because of the good conduct time allowance law (GCTA).

The PNP chief said they are “deeply concerned” over the released of convicts especially those who are convicted on heinous crimes such as rape, murder and drug trafficking.

“We are closely monitoring the developments on this matter and will be guided accordingly by orders and issuances from higher authorities,” he said.

Albayalde said since they still don’t have an establish protocol with the Bureau of Corrections, they will designate a liaison officer with DOJ and BuCor to ensure inter-agency coordination.

“We believe this is an important aspect of monitoring when the released convict is reintegrated into society and goes back to the community,” he said.

He added that it is better if BuCor will also coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in terms of allowing an inmate to be released of not. Ella Dionisio/DMS