Rape convict freed through GCTA surrenders in Batangas

SAN PEDRO CITY, Philippines – A convicted rapist freed through the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law surrendered to authorities in Tanauan City in Batangas province, police said Saturday.

The 39-year-old freed convict turned himself in to the police around 11:30 a.m. Friday in Barangay (village) Bagumbayan.

A report from the regional police office said the convict had recently been working in a factory in Laguna, was convicted of rape on October 23, 2015.

He was released from the New Bilibid Prison on January 17, 2017 through the GCTA law that allowed convicts an early release for showing good conduct while serving their sentences.

President Duterte had ordered freed heinous crime convicts to surrender amid controversies hounding the GCTA.

Police said they would turn over the surrendered convict to the Bureau of Corrections. /muf