Maj. Jason Baria, spokesperson of Police Regional Office in Region 11 (PNA Photo courtesy of Che Palicte)
DAVAO CITY -- The Police Regional Office in Region 11 (PRO 11) is now waiting for a go signal from higher officials to conduct manhunt operations to arrest the remaining heinous crime convicts released under Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law who failed to surrender after the 15-day ultimatum given by President Rodrigo Duterte.
In an interview with Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Saturday, PRO 11 spokesperson, Major Jason Baria said their office created tracker teams ready to be deployed to hunt down these freed prisoners following the September 19 deadline.
Davao Region has a total of 76 heinous crime convicts freed under GCTA law, of which only 17 surrendered to authorities as of September 21.
Baria said of the 17, eight surrendered in Davao City Police Office (DCPO), three in Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office (DNPPO), two in Davao del Sur PPO, two in Compostela Valley Province PPO, and one each in Davao Oriental PPO and Davao Occidental PPO.
Twenty heinous crime convicts whose addresses are in Davao Region also submitted themselves to the Davao Penal Colony (DAPECOL), while the remaining 39 are still on the loose.
There were also four, who surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP), but were not listed in Davao Region as residents.
“We are still waiting for the go signal and we are also waiting for the final list coming from DOJ (Department of Justice) and BuCor (Bureau of Corrections),” Baria said.
He added the police expects more surrenderers before they push through with the manhunt operations on the remaining GCTA convicts.
Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales, PRO 11 director, said “our police stations are open 24/7 for other fugitives to surrender even after the grace-period has ended. We will still assist them. But those who will show aggressive behavior and resist the arrest, then, we will be compelled to defend ourselves."
Morales assured the public that all surrenderers will be treated with utmost respect in accordance with the prescribed procedures stated by law. (PNA)
