Año says inmate freed due to GCTA can be extradited if he left country

September 6, 2019

  Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday said they can apply the extradition treaty with countries when a freed inmate flees.

  In an interview with reporters, Año said they can seek the assistance of Interpol in arresting inmates who were freed due to the good conduct and time allowance (GCTA).

  "And we will apply the extradition agreement we have with appropriate countries," he said.

  "I'm sure some already left the country," he said.

  According to Año, he received the list of the more than 1,900 inmates released by the Bureau of Corrections.

  "I still don't have the list of those who left the country," he said.

  He said the Bureau of Immigration has been alerted about the suspects behind the Chiong sisters murder case.

  Based on the list he received, inmates released were involved in heinous crimes, such as rape and multiple counts of murder.

  The DILG chief added that he sent the list to the Philippine National Police.

  President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday ordered released inmates under the GCTA law to surrender to nearest police stations and military detachment.

  Duterte only give them 15 days to surrender before the police can arrest them even without warrant.

  Año said those who wants to surrender will undergo normal process and will be turned over to the BuCor.

  "They will be turned over on the nearest regional BuCor facility because it is very important they will be returned to BuCor responsibility," he said.

  For his part, Police General Oscar Albayalde said there are no reports of inmates who left the country.

  He also reiterated that they can seek assistance Interpol.

   "We have this what we called red notice through the InIerpol coordination," said Albayalde.

   As of September 5, eleven freed inmates surrendered to the authorities.

  Albayalde said nine are from Cagayan de Oro, one in Cebu and one in Pasay City. Ella Dionisio/DMS