PNP to hunt down those freed under GCTA if they do not surrender after deadline

September 18, 2019

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said they will conduct manhunt against inmates released by the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law after they do not surrender after the Sept 19 deadline. 

"With or without reward, the PNP shifts to manhunt operations after deadline on Thursday," PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said.

"We believe that through swift arrests, we can expedite the surrender of other freed convicts," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has given nearly 2,000 released convicts to turn themselves over to the authorities until September 19. Latest data from PNP revealed 523 convicts have surrendered.

Banac assured the public the convicts' human rights will be respected amid the manhunt and arrests. 

"The PNP will exert all efforts to arrest them through our tracker teams following the prescribed procedures and with utmost respect for human rights," he explained. 

The spokesperson urged the remaining convicts to surrender before the deadline. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS