PHILIPPINES: HOUSE OKS RESTORING DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG CASES

The Philippine House of Representatives approved a bill to restore the death penalty by hanging, lethal injection or firing squad for drug offenses despite opposition from the influential Roman Catholic church and human rights groups.
The House said 216 members approved the proposed legislation, 54 voted against it and one abstained, bringing nearer to reality President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign promise to restore capital punishment for hardcore criminals, especially drug traffickers.
The death penalty could have been applicable for several crimes, including economic plunder in a country rife with corruption scandals, under earlier House bill versions but lawmakers later agreed to allow it only for drug offenses, including production and trafficking.
House bill 4727 must be merged with the version being deliberated in the Senate and then signed by Duterte to become a law. Both chambers of Congress are dominated by Duterte’s allies.
Proponents argue the death penalty would help combat the drug menace, which Duterte has elevated to a national security threat. His anti-drug crackdown has left thousands of drug suspects dead since he took office in June.
Opponents led by the dominant Catholic church held an anti-death penalty rally attended by more than 10,000 people in Manila three weeks ago. More than 200 activists protested against the death penalty outside the House as lawmakers voted on the bill.