Duterte wants explanation on release of convicts

BEIJING – President Duterte wants the Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) to explain why more than 1,900 inmates convicted of heinous crimes have been freed early even if they are not eligible under the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law.

Senator and former presidential aide Christopher Go said the President did not approve the release of the inmates.

“He will ask those responsible to explain,” Go said in Filipino in a text message yesterday.

Republic Act 10592 or GCTA law signed by former president Benigno Aquino III allows shortened prison terms of convicts for good behavior.

The law, however, does not cover those found guilty of heinous crimes, escapees, habitual delinquents and recidivists.

Despite the exception, 1,914 prisoners convicted of heinous crimes have walked free since 2014, according to Bucor.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson has also revealed that four convicted Chinese drug traffickers were freed last June.

Malacañang has said the prisoners should be sent back to jail because they are not covered by the GCTA law. While the law says the grant of GCTA cannot be revoked, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the provision only applies to qualified inmates. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has distanced itself from reports that BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon signed the supposed order to release rapist-killer Antonio Sanchez on Aug. 20.

“Let’s wait for director general Faeldon’s reaction first,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday when sought for comment on Faeldon’s reportedly signing Sanchez’s release order.

Faeldon has not faced the media since news of Sanchez’s near release from prison broke out.

But a report from GMA News said that Faeldon’s signature was on the release order for prisoner “Antonio Leyva Sanchez” on Aug. 20.

The release order allegedly stated that Sanchez was found to have served 40 years in prison under the retroactive application of RA 10592.

The report also stated that based on the release order, Sanchez is “certified to have no other legal cause to be further detained” and therefore “shall be released from confinement.”

Asked if Faeldon could be sanctioned – or possibly removed – for allowing the release of Sanchez, Guevarra said “only the President can answer that.”  – Robertzon Ramirez