NCRPO probes link between BuCor officers’ killings, GCTA releases

MANILA, Philippines — Police are investigating the possible link between the killings of three Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officers and the release of heinous crime convicts due to the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.

Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, said yesterday he ordered probers to explore the angle that the murders of the BuCor officers were connected to the release of the convicts due the controversial law.

The latest BuCor official killed by motorcycle-riding assailants is Ruperto Traya Jr., the second highest official at the agency’s records office, which processes documents for the release of former mayor Antonio Sanchez of Calauan, Laguna and other high-profile convicts.

Traya was gunned down in Muntinlupa City on Aug. 27.

Eleazar said they are looking at the GCTA angle after Yolanda Camilon testified at the Senate, where she claimed she met with Traya while negotiating with BuCor officials for the release of her husband from prison by tampering with his good behavior record in exchange for money.

They are looking if the reported sale of GCTAs for convicts is also connected to the murder of Rommel Reyes in September 2018 and Angelita Peralta in December of the same year by motorcycle-riding assailants, Eleazar said.