PHILIPPINES: SOLON SAYS DEATH PENALTY DOES NOT DETER HEINOUS CRIMES

North Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Bernardo Piñol Jr. said he was against moves by other lawmakers to restore the death penalty for cases involving illegal drugs in the Philippines. Piñol said the government should impose corrective not vindictive measures in addressing heinous crimes. He said death penalty was imposed during the Estrada administration but failed to curb the occurrence of heinous crimes. The congressman cited the execution of Leo Echegaray, who was executed for raping his own daughter. The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) reported some 163 heinous crimes after Echegaray’s execution. Piñol said those involved in illegal drugs and heinous crimes should be given second chance to renew their lives and atone for their wrongdoings in jail instead of imposing death penalty.