14 convicts freed by GCTA law urged to yield

By: Jennifer P. Rendon 

THE Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) will trace and convince today 14 heinous crimes convicts who were freed by the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law to turn themselves in as ordered by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

The IPPO will conduct the operation in Tokhang style. Oplan Tokhang is derived from “Toktok-Hangyo” or “knock and plead (make a polite request to surrender or stop committing crimes).”

“We will go and knock on their known addresses and plead that they turn themselves in,” according to Police Colonel Roland Vilela, IPPO director.

But Vilela said it might be easier said than done since these convicts might no longer be staying in their last known address. Worse, some might have gone into hiding.

So far, only one has surrendered in the province.

Vilela said the convict presented himself to the Dingle Police Station on Sept 7.

Last week, Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) confirmed that another convict who availed of the GCTA surrendered in Antique province on Friday morning.

Prior to that, PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde said 25 other convicts who availed of the GCTA have surrendered in other parts of the country.