Search and arrest those who got free through GCTA but did not heed Duterte deadline: PNP

October 4, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Friday said  manhunt operations against the 19 fugitives granted early release through good conduct time allowance ( GCTA) will only be limited to search and arrest operations.

In a statement, Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said these are the guidelines set by the Department of Justice.

"The Department of Justice has named 19 convicts who failed to surrender as of 12:00 noon of September 30 amid President Duterte's ultimatum who have been released (through) the GCTA," said Banac.

"According to the guidelines set by the Department of Justice, manhunt operations will be limited to search and arrest operations only," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the police to resume its operations to capture 19 released convicts included in the partial list provided by the Department of Justice and Bureau of Corrections.

"Police tracker teams have been mobilized for manhunt operations to arrest 19 national prisoners who were prematurely released through good conduct time allowance," he said.

These convicts were among 1,714 released thru GCTA but did not surrender within 15-day grace period which ended on September 19. Ella Dionisio/DMS