President Rodrigo Duterte /Screengrab from RTV-Malacanang YouTube video
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has made another push for the reimposition of the death penalty in the Philippines.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, Duterte recounted the May 2017 Marawi City siege carried out by the Maute terrorist group: “Tons of shabu worth millions of pesos, drug money, killed 175 and wounded 2,000 and one of my soldiers and policemen in that five-month battle.”
“I am aware that we still have a long way to go against this social menace. (T)he reason why I advocate the imposition of the death penalty for crimes related to illegal drugs,” he said.
Duterte has earlier expressed openness to revive the death penalty, which the country suspended in 2006, for drug trafficking and other heinous crimes, noting that it will instill fear among criminals.
With the current composition of Congress – with more Duterte allies sitting in the Senate, which previously blocked the measure, the administration thinks it could be easier to pass the death penalty bill.