Gatchalian: Death penalty for drug lords will stop illegal trade

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines–Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday said death penalty will be a good deterrent to stop the operations of drug lords, even those who were convicted but managed to supervise drug trade from inside the jail.

“Nakatutok tayo sa drug lords [dahil] walang drug lords na nakukulong, walang drug lords na nahahatulan ng illegal drugs. Kung sila [drug lords] ay nahatulan man … kahit nasa loob sila ng kulungan sila ay malaya pa rin na nako-control at nagnenegosyo ng illegal drugs,” Gatchalian said over local radio station DWIZ.

Gatchalian said he plans to file a second version of a bill reviving death penalty for drug lords during the 18th Congress.

Gatchalian said there is a big chance that Senate’s version on reimposition of death penalty will only target high-value drug suspects.

“Nung 17th Congress may pitong version na ito [death penalty bill]. ‘Yung common denominator ay yung death penalty sa drug lords. Malaki ang tsansa kung i-li-limit lang natin sa high volume of drug trade dahil ‘yun talaga ang gusto nating maputol at ugat din ng maraming krimen,” Gatchalian said.

He noted that most drug suspects commit heinous crime such as rape and murder.

“Itong mga nababasa ko yung pagpatay o rape na yung puno’t dulo gumamit din ng illegal drugs itong mga kriminal,” the senator said.

Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Bong Go, Manny Pacquiao and Panfilo Lacson have filed bills reimposing death penalty.

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

Opposition Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros and detained Senator Leila de Lima vowed to fight the block the measure reinstituting death penalty. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)

READ: Opposition solons to fight revival of death penalty