Eight GCTA beneficiaries in Normin turn themselves in

CAMP Alagar said eight  convicts released based on the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law have turned themselves in northern Mindanao.

The released convicts voluntarily went to the police after President Duterte ordered them to surrender to the law enforcement agencies that would facilitate their return to the penal institution where they served their sentences.

“All of them had heinous crimes committed such as murder, rape, rape and robbery, robbery with homicide, and rape and arson,” Camp Alagar said.

Four surrendered in Bukidnon, two in Lanao del Norte, one in Iligan, and one in Camiguin.

Those who yielded were Larry Canunay, convicted for rape and arson; Marcelo Esperilla, convicted for rape; Nemesio Bacalso, convicted for murder; Juan Bacalso, convicted for murder; Jaime Borres, convicted for rape and robbery; Apolinar Raganas, convicted for robbery with homicide; Christopher Villaver, convicted for murder; and Ramon Hilvano, convicted for rape.

Lt. Col. Mardy Hortillosa, Camp Alagar spokesperson, said many of the freed convicts came from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, and Iwahig Penal Prison and Farm in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

He said some of those who surrendered have already been sent back to their respective penitentiary facilities while others are still waiting to be transported.

“Their release started on December 2018 and the latest of them released through GCTA law was on April 17, 2019,” he said.

One of those who surrendered was Canunay, 49, of Purok 10 Puerta, Barangay Lurugan, Valencia City, said Valencia police chief Lt. Col. Surki Sereñas.

Sereñas said Canunay, who was convicted for rape and arson, went to this office on Sept. 6. He has been serving his sentence at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm since 1991, and was released through the GCTA on March 22, 2019.

“[Canunay said] that he never hesitated to surrender early upon hearing the directive of the President that all released convicts through GCTA to surrender after the 15 days of liberty period,” Sereñas said.

Police regional director Brig. Gen. Rafael Santiago Jr. said, “We will double our efforts to arrest and put them back in prison these subject personalities if they will not surrender on the specified period by [Duterte] to them.” (Jigger J. Jerusalem, Nitz Arancon and Joey Nacalaban)