News Briefs

Bishops hope Senate conscience vote will reject death penalty

An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said they would not let up in their bid to stop the revival of capital punishment as the Senate prepared to resume its hearings on the death penalty bill.

Rodolfo Diamante, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care, expressed hope that the senators would vote on the proposed law according to their conscience.

“The CBCP will continue to lobby for the passage of laws consistent with Gospel values,” he said.

A Senate subcommittee headed by Sen. Manny Pacquiao, a known death penalty advocate, was expected to resume its hearings this month.

Diamante lamented the fact that the champion boxer, a Christian, would want to pass a law reimposing the death penalty.

“It is sad that he, who is perceived to be pro poor and a Christian, would want to pass a measure that is not only anti poor and against the Gospel. We hope and pray that the members of the Senate will vote in accordance with their conscience,” he said.—JULIE M. AURELIO

Briton, American wanted for sex crimes arrested in Visayas

Two foreign convicts wanted in their respective countries for sex crimes had been arrested in separate operations in the Visayas.

Briton Robert Michael Eastwood, 67, and American Frank Carson Jr., 68, were apprehended by agents of the fugitive search unit of the Bureau of Immigration.

Commissioner Jaime Morente said the arrests of Eastwood and Carson were requested by their respective embassies in Manila. “They will be deported as they pose a risk to public safety and security here,” Morente said. Eastwood was arrested last Wednesday in Ormoc City and Carson the following day in Cordova, Cebu. Fugitive search unit chief Bobby Raquepo said Eastwood was convicted of sexual assault and other criminal cases in Britain.

Carson had an arrest warrant from the Superior Court in Alameda, California, for his failure to register as a sex offender. Raquepo said the two foreigners were detained at the BI detention facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. —JULIE M. AURELIO