On June 25, Eduardo Agbayani, who was convicted of...

On June 25, Eduardo Agbayani, who was convicted of the incestuous rape of his daughter was executed. His daughter had requested presidential clemency. President Estrada was reported to have instructed his aides to telephone the prison authorities to stay the execution at the last minute. However, the call was received after the lethal injection had been administered. Ruling party congressman Roan Libarios, quoting police statistics, said 1,509 rape cases were reported during the period from January to June - more than 8 each day on average - compared to 1,510 recorded over the same period last year. "There is no clear indication that rape cases have dropped. In fact, it is quite possible for full-year figures to actually show an increase," Libarios said in a statement. "Capital punishment has failed to curb rape," he added.