Go backs recall of freed convicts

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Wednesday expressed his support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for the immediate re-arrest of all recidivists, habitual delinquents, escapees and convicts involved in heinous crimes who were released because of the wrongful application of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) under Republic Act No. 10592.

In a statement, the senator said that he believes that the convicts’ re-arrest is a crucial step to correct the error committed by prison authorities in releasing the convicts and will also protect our people from those who may still be considered potential threats to society.

Go also filed Senate Bill No. 1003 which seeks to amend the Revised Penal Code that had been previously modified by RA No. 10592 as he recognized the immediate need to clarify the contentious issues in the said penal law.

“In order to resolve the concerns regarding the application of the GCTA benefits, I am pushing that Congress clearly state the intent and policy of the law by excluding recidivists, habitual delinquents, escapees, and prisoners who were convicted of heinous crimes from the application of GCTA benefits,” said Go.

He added that in order remove any ambiguity, his proposal will specifically enumerate the heinous crimes and will provide that any release of prisoners on the basis of time allowances be subject to the review of Department of Justice (DoJ) and that the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) be required to submit to Congress its report twice a year.

“The BuCor will also be required to publish the list of all prisoners who are released on the basis of the grant of time allowances,” said Go.