Press Release
August 31, 2019

De Lima to PNP: Leave no stone unturned in probing murder of BuCor exec

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has expressed alarm over the recent killing of a Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) official whose death is being linked to the cancelled release of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

De Lima said the death of Ruperto Traya, Jr., BuCor's chief administrative officer 3, calls for thorough and impartial investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) not only to give justice to the victim but also to identify the real motive behind his murder.

"Wala na talagang sinasantong lugar ang nasa likod ng mga karumal-dumal na krimen ngayon - mapa-lansangan, sa tahanan, mapa-Simbahan, pati na sa institusyon ng pamahalaan," she said.

"The police force should leave no stone unturned in probing the murder of Mr. Traya by pursuing all possible angles for his death so we can give justice to him and his family, hold the assailant accountable for his crime, and determine the real motive for this killing," she added.

Traya, who was assigned at the BuCor's Inmate's Document Processing Division, was reportedly shot dead by motorcycle-riding men as he was about to open the gate of his rented parking lot along Amparo street in Barangay Poblacion in Muntinlupa City last Aug. 27.

Traya's murder happened at the height of the issue concerning the botched release of convicted murderer and rapist Sanchez, who was initially considered, along with some 11,000 inmates from the NBP, for early release under the Expanded Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law or Republic Act (RA) No. 10592.

BuCor spokesperson Sonny del Rosario reportedly confirmed that the division where Traya was assigned was in charge of collating and processing all paperwork regarding the recomputation of the credits of around 11,000 convicts' good conduct time allowance under the retroactive GCTA Law.

De Lima, a former justice secretary, said Traya's death is alarming because it happened while the retroactive application of the GCTA law is currently gaining nationwide concern.

"Kahina-hinala ang tunay na motibo sa krimeng ito, lalo pa't mainit ang isyu ngayon ukol sa implementasyon ng GCTA. Marapat lang na magkaroon ng masusing imbestigasyon upang agarang matukoy at mapanagot ang mga salarin dito," she said.

"Mayroon bang impormasyon na alam na si Mr. Traya na maaring makakaapekto sa usapin tungkol sa GCTA Law? Isa lamang ito sa tanong ng marami nating kababayan na nagaantay ng kasagutan," she added.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra recently ordered BuCor to suspend the processing of GCTA beneficiaries after his premature announcement of the impending release of Sanchez was met with public anger.

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