Dela Rosa files bill reviving death penalty for drug traffickers, manufacturers

MANILA, Philippines — Neophyte senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa filed Thursday a bill seeking to revive the death penalty for illegal drug traffickers and manufacturers.

Dela Rosa’s Senate Bill (SB) 226 seeks to mete out the death penalty with a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million to those who will import, manufacture, cultivate or culture plants classified as dangerous drugs.

The proposed legislation aims to “hamper the growth of foreign syndicates and to address the illicit drug trafficking prevailing in the region,” Dela Rosa said in the explanatory note of the bill.

The same penalties shall also be imposed to government officials and employees who will be found guilty of such unlawful acts.

Dela Rosa also earlier appealed for understanding from the Catholic Church, explaining that the capital punishment he is pushing is only limited for drug traffickers.

READ: Dela Rosa pushes death penalty bill, appeals for understanding from Church

Dela Rosa is the third senator to file a measure seeking to reimpose the death penalty after neophyte Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and Senator Manny Pacquiao.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)

READ: Go files bill restoring death penalty for heinous crimes

READ: Pacquiao wants death penalty for drug traffickers, manufacturers