Duterte makes another push for death penalty by lethal injection

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has made another push for the reimposition of the death penalty in the Philippines for drug-related charges.

“I reiterate the swift passage of the law reviving the death penalty by lethal injection for crimes specified under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” Duterte said in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday.

Duterte has repeatedly expressed openness to revive the death penalty, which the country suspended in 2006, for drug trafficking and other heinous crimes, noting that it will instill fear among criminals.

The reimposition of the death penalty was the first priority legislative measure he mentioned in his SONA last year.

EDV