PNP-SAF Joins In Manhunt For Heinous Crimes Convicts Released Under GCTA
Special Action Force (SAF) – President Duterte’s order for the surrender of released heinous crimes convicts under GCTA is nearing its deadline. With this the Philippine National Police is gearing up its elite troops for the manhunt.
There is only 4 days left in the President’s order for surrender. With this, PNP Chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde stated that the use of the SAF is on the table come the deadline.
According to the PNP, 431 released convicts have surrendered themselves to authorities nationwide. Out of that lot, 252 were placed into the custody of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
These people were part of the 1900 criminals charged with heinous crimes. But, they got released early due to the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.
The President has ordered the surrender of the released convicts back in September 4. He gave the convicts 15 days to surrender or else they would be tagged as fugitives from the law.
The release convicts only have until Thursday to surrender themselves to authorities. This marks the final day of Duterte’s 15 day ultimatum.
PNP chief Albayalde stated that the SAF would act as an augmentation force. He added that they would be used if ever the tracker teams face resistance from convicts that pose a threat to their lives.
Albayalde emphasized that their trackers teams might require assistance in the manhunt. For example, dealing with high-profile convicts charged with large-scale drug trafficking.
According to Philstar, reports of large-scale drug trafficking among inmates caused New Bilibid Prison authorities to call in SAF. This was back in 2016.
In lieu of the surrenders, Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete state that the surrendered convicts will be tagged as “prematurely released”. They would then be recommitted to finish their sentence.
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