Murder convict released on GCTA survives shooting in Cebu

Cebu province. GOOGLE MAPS

MANILA, Philippines — A man convicted for murder and frustrated murder who was released from prison last year for good conduct has survived a shooting incident in Dalaguete, Cebu province, police said on Friday.

Manuel Mercado Amaya Jr., 56, was outside his residence in Barangay Mantalongon when he was shot several times in the body at about 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday.

Police recovered four empty shells for a caliber .45 pistol, two deformed slugs, and another slug in the crime scene, according to a report from the Dalaguete Municipal Police.

Spent shells and slugs were found at the crime scene in Dalaguete, Cebu where a man convicted of murder and frustrated murder released due to the GCTA law survived a shooting incident on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019. (Photo from Dalaguete Police)

Records show Amaya was released from the Sablayan Penal Colony in Occidental Mindoro in December 2018 due to the controversial Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law, which shortens the prison sentence of inmates based on good conduct they showed while inside the jail.

According to police, witnesses said they saw two persons who wore jackets onboard a motorcycle driving away from the crime scene toward the north direction just after the incident.

Investigators examine the crime scene in Dalaguete, Cebu where a man convicted of murder and frustrated murder released due to the GCTA law survived a shooting incident on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019. (Photo from Dalaguete Police)

The victim was rushed to Dr. Ildefonso Alcantara Memorial Hospital and later transferred to another hospital in Cebu City.

Investigation is still ongoing but police said they are eyeing personal grudges as the motive behind the shooting.

Maj. Rolan Aliser, chief of the Dalaguete Police, told INQUIRER.net that the victim is willing to surrender to the police, after President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered convicts of heinous crimes released due to the GCTA law to turn themselves in to authorities.

He said Amaya will undergo booking procedures at their unit on Saturday. /jpv