Bato wants public execution of drug traffickers by musketry

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-elect Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he will be pushing for the public execution of drug traffickers by musketry if the death penalty will be restored in the Philippines.

“‘Yung public [execution,] gawing public. ‘Yung gawing katakot takot yung ginagawa yung firing squad sa plaza [dapat] covered by the media, Covered live,” Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, told reporters after the Private Security Industry Summit 2019 in Camp Crame on Wednesday.

Dela Rosa assured that he will not allow the execution of small-time drug peddlers and users in his version of the death penalty bill.

“Hindi naman lahat kasama diyan. ‘Yung drug peddler [at] drug pusher Hindi kasama diyan. ang aking bersyon ng death penalty is for drug trafficking. Ito yung mga drug traffickers na nagpapabaha ng shabu sa ating bansa,” Dela Rosa said.

The newly-elected senator, however, said he will prioritize the restoration of death penalty only for drug lords.

“So far sa aking version, ‘di muna kasama [ang kasong rape]. Drugs muna. Pinaka-urgent. despite the fact na [merong] war on drugs, meron at merong shabu na nagkakalat sa ating kalsada,” Dela Rosa said.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)