THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao said they are ready to deploy a tracker team across the region to hunt down the remaining 39 heinous crime convicts who failed to surrender by September 19.
As of September 20, out of the 76 heinous crime convicts (HCC) whose addresses are in Davao Region, 17 have already surrendered.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has the highest number of surrenderers with eight; Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (DNPPO) with three; Davao del Sur PPO with two; Compostela Valley PPO with two; and Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental Police Provincial Office with one each.
Four have also surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) but they were not listed as Davao Region residents.
Another 20 have also submitted themselves to the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, leaving 39 who are still on the loose.
Before launching a massive manhunt, PRO-Davao Director Marcelo Morales said they are still waiting for an official order from the national headquarters.
"We are still waiting for the directives from the higher headquarters to push through with the manhunt. However, our police stations are open 24/7 for other fugitives to surrender even after the grace period has ended," Morales said.
He added that they will still assist those who will turn themselves in. However, he said if the convicts act aggressively and resist arrest, the police will be forced to defend their selves.
Morales further assured the public that all surrenderers will be treated with the utmost respect under the prescribed procedures stated by law among prisoners.
