Law enforcers planting evidence deserve ‘harshest punishment’ – PNP

PNP spokesperson Police Col. Bernard Banac. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines – Law enforcers who are guilty of planting evidence on suspects deserve the harshest punishment such as the death penalty, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.

“We agree with Sen. Lacson that planting of evidence deserves the harshest punishment,” PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a statement when asked about their reaction on Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s proposal to reimpose the death penalty on police officers who plant evidence on suspects.

READ: Death penalty for law enforcers who plant evidence – Lacson

Banac explained that reimposing the death penalty would “maximize the effectiveness of the law” which penalizes planting of drug evidence.

Under Section 29 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, a person found guilty of planting of illegal drugs regardless of its quantity would be meted with the death penalty.

However, this provision was not implemented as capital punishment was abolished in 2006 during the Arroyo administration.

READ: IN THE KNOW: Death penalty