Lacson mulls ‘high volume threshold’ in death penalty for drug trafficking

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson suggested the threshold on death penalty for drug trafficking be at an amount that would make it difficult for law enforcement to plant on suspects.

While there are tons of illegal drugs entering the country, Lacson pointed out most people who die from the drug war only possessed a small amount of it.

“Ang pinaka-primary concern natin ang pagpasok ng shabu kasi tone-tonelada ang papasok tapos ang daming namamatay sa gramo-gramo,” Lacson said Thursday in an interview over dzMM.

Lacson said this led him and Senator Manny Pacquiao to discuss the amount of threshold for the proposed measure on reimposing death penalty, specifically for drug traffickers.

“Kaya nga pinaguusapan namin kahapon nina Senator Pacquiao ang sa death penalty, pinaguusapan namin ano ang threshold na gagawin namin. Halimbawa illegal drugs ang sasaklawin ng death penalty, ano ang magandang threshold?” Lacson said.

“Ang suggestion ko ang threshold na quantity na volume ‘yan ang mahirap i-plant ng law enforcement,” he added.

Apart from Lacson, several senators have also filed separate bills proposing to reimpose death penalty including Pacquiao, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.

Lacson said there is a chance that the proposed reimposition of the death penalty for big time drug traffickers would be passed in the Senate.

“Palagay ko kung mabibilang ngayon sa present setup ng Senado mukhang sa Senate at least pwede makapasa, pero may mga variation na pwede ipasok tulad ng sina-suggest ko,” Lacson said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III likewise expressed optimism that the measure would stand a chance in the Senate. /je