By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday expressed its full support to the reinstatement of death penalty which is included in the legislative agenda laid by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“In response to the SONA of President Duterte, the PNP fully supports the legislative agenda of the national government for effective legislation that will add more teeth to the crusade against crime, drugs and corruption, particularly by imposing capital punishment for drug-related heinous crime and plunder, among others,” PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde told reporters in a press conference in Camp Crame on Tuesday.
“I firmly believe that the deterrent effect of the certainty of punishment will be a game changer in our continuing campaign against illegal drugs, heinous crime and corruption, particularly against drug traffickers, smugglers and peddlers of illegal drugs,” he added.
Albayalde expressed support for Duterte’s call to re-impose the death penalty for drug-related crimes but maintained his position that the country’s justice system should be fixed first.
He believes lawmakers will not pass the measure without a tedious review of its provisions.
“What is important here is we convict those who are really guilty. That is the PNP’s stand. Even for that matter, we must ensure that only those who are guilty will be punished,” he said in Filipino.
He, however, noted that the PNP’s part is only to make sure that airtight cases are filed against erring individuals as their conviction is up for the courts to decide.
In his speech, the President noted that after three years since he took office, the problems on illegal drugs and corruption continue to persist despite the administration’s moral recovery initiatives.
He stressed that illegal drugs will not be crushed unless government continue to “eliminate corruption that allows this social monster to survive.”
“I respectfully request Congress to reinstate the death penalty for heinous crimes related to drugs, as well as plunder,” Duterte said.
Albayalde said the PNP is already taking its part for the possible restoration of the said law by weeding its rank of bad eggs.
“I share the frustration and exasperation of the president over the issue of corruption in government. The PNP is duty-bound to assume its crucial role in this crusade under a whole of nation approach alongside the efforts of other agencies and stakeholders,” he said.
“This national anti-corruption campaign augurs well with the PNP’s very own internal cleansing program to rid the organization of undesirable members involved in irregularities and misconduct,” he added.
He said the PNP is likewise taking the initiative of supporting all government efforts at enhancing the internal security posture by pushing for the citizens’ ROTC program in senior highschool, and fast-tracking implementation of the plan of action of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, through available efforts—tactical engagement or peaceful negotiation with armed components of the local communist movement.
“Halfway through President Duterte’s term, the PNP has achieved so much along the area of crime prevention and suppression over the past three years, and we are poised to remain supportive behind the leadership goals of the Commander-in-Chief to continue his term in a fighting mood,” Albayalde stressed.
In 2006, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act 9346, which abolished the death penalty and downgraded the maximum penalty for crimes to reclusion perpetua (imprisonment of up to 40 years) and life imprisonment.
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