PNP tracker teams to locate 1,700 convicts released through GCTA —Albayalde

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde directed all police units nationwide to "receive and account" for the 1,700 convicts released through the good conduct time allowance earlier ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to surrender and return to jail.

Duterte gave them 15 days to turn themselves in or be hunted down by authorities.

"Tracker teams will now be deployed to locate these convicts, who will be treated as fugitives if they choose not to surrender," Albayalde said in a statement.

"As fugitives from justice, these convicts  can be subjected to warrantless arrest," he added.

Albayalde said the PNP will designate a liaison officer to ensure coordination with the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Corrections, and secure the exact list and addresses of the convicts.

In a televised statement Wednesday night, Duterte announced he was firing Bureau of Corrections Director General Nicanor Faeldon amid the controversy involving the early release of heinous crimes convicts.

Duterte said Faeldon disobeyed his order that no convict should be released until further orders from higher authorities.

He ordered all the convicts released because of the GCTA to surrender.

“I will give you 15 days liberty, provided you make yourself available anytime that you will be called for investigation to have a recomputation, or if there’s an investigation of corruption that you cooperate fully,” he said.

Duterte said the government would consider them fugitives if they fail to turn themselves in. —LDF, GMA News