PNP ready to re-arrest freed heinous crime convicts

FILE: MORE POLICEMEN DURING MAY POLLS. Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde (center) says he will deploy 75 percent to 80 percent of their personnel to secure the May 13 mid-term polls, during the press conference after the signing of the Joint Letter Directive 01-2019 at the Tejeros Hall in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday (April 16, 2019). The letter states the delegation of election tasks of the police and the military, which will deploy some 40,000 troops for the polls. With Albayalde are AFP Chief-of Staff, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. (left), and Commission on Elections Chairman Sheriff Abas. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it is willing to re-arrest heinous crime convicts who were released due to the contentious provisions on the grant of good conduct time allowance (GCTA) under Republic Act 10592.

“The PNP is ready to field tracker teams to assist the Bureau of Corrections in accounting for national prisoners released thru Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) if it will be necessary to recall these convicts,” PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde, told reporters in a press conference in Camp Crame.

“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 explained.

He said they are closely monitoring developments on this matter and will be guided accordingly by orders and issuances from higher authorities to ensure inter-agency coordination.

With this, Albayalde said he will designate a liaison officer with the Department of Justice and Bureau of Corrections.

Albayalde admitted that there are still no established protocols that require the BuCor to inform the PNP of the release of convicted prisoners under the GCTA Law.

“Let me point out that there are still no established protocols that require BuCor to inform PNP of the release of convicted prisoners under the GCTA Law.

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

“Admittedly, we are deeply concerned over the release of convicts especially those convicted of heinous crimes such as rape, murder, and drug trafficking,” he said.

The BuCor is under the DOJ while the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, which runs all district and city jails, is under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Earlier reports said close to 2,000 inmates, including those who were convicted for heinous crimes and drug trafficking, were ordered released by the BuCor, through the GCTA, since 2013.