A TOTAL of 18 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who were freed under the questionable implementation of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law have surrendered in Eastern Visayas.
Brigadier General Dionardo Carlos, director of Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas, said they are waiting for the list from the Bureau of Corrections of those who did not surrender and are subject for re-arrest following the expiration of the 15-day grace period given by President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Surrender peaceably to the nearest police station so that we can extend our assistance to you," urged Carlos.
Of these 18 former PDLs, only 14 have already been turned over to the Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte, while others were set to be turned over to the same institution last September 20, said Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Bella Rentuaya, police regional spokesperson.
Rentuaya identified the 18 ex-PDLs as: Ireneo Puso Busano, Nimrod Victoria Purog, Nilo Alihid Talon, Emiliano Palumpon Mero, Bertuldo Larido Marquez, Diosdado Eulin Catamora, Justiniano Amante Gregorio, Pio Pasilaban Namarquez, Arnel Paña Corcino, Wilfredo Carrozo Manto, Paterno Mercader Abayon Jr., Dominador Ladaga Antojado, Ricky Mediola Cinco, Arvel Binlot Saballe, Raul Cusip Malinao, Estong Malinao, Hilario Molobogo Alcantara and Francisco Ventillo Baigar.
The Department of Justice said 2,139 GCTA-released PDLs have surrendered as of September 21.
The number of surrenderers, however, reportedly exceeded the 1,914 persons in the initial list of PDLs facing heinous crimes who were released under the GCTA law. (SunStar Philippines)