Duterte says he would revive death penalty

DAVAO CITY—Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, being touted as a presidential candidate next year, batted for a return of the death penalty for heinous crimes, saying executing hardened criminals can be an effective deterrent to criminality.

According to the tough-talking mayor, if he would become President, he would also enforce a nationwide smoking ban and a ban on serving alcoholic drinks in bars or restaurants after midnight.

Defending the need for death penalty Duterte said extreme measures are needed against heinous crimes, which have been on the rise in the country.

“If I were President, I would bring back the death penalty for crimes like drugs, rape, and kidnapping,” he said.

Duterte has been batting for the re-imposition of the death penalty for years now.

Senator Vicente Sotto III recently filed a bill that aims to bring back the death penalty for heinous crimes.

Sotto’s bill remains pending at the Senate.

Duterte said he agrees with the execution of hardened criminals because “crime makes life miserable for law-abiding citizens.”

Aside from bringing back the capital punishment, Duterte said he would duplicate the successful smoking ban in this city nationwide.

While alcoholic drinks would be permitted, establishments would be barred from serving these after midnight, he said.

No overspeeding

Also if he becomes President, Duterte said there would be no more overspeeding.

In this city, vehicles are not allowed to travel past 30 kilometers per hour in the downtown area.

But Duterte refuse to be categorical about whether he is running for President.

“I am still talking to some people about this. You will know soon,” he said.

‘Dollar for the presidency’

Duterte supporters in the United States have started raising funds for his possible campaign, according to former North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Pinol.

Pinol said Filipino-Americans started a group and launched the “dollar for the presidency” campaign for Duterte.

He said Manny Pacquiao’s Los Angeles-based publicist and sportswriter, Winchell Campos, acts as coordinator of the movement in the United States.

“Many Filipinos in the US believe that the style of leadership and incorruptibility of Rody Duterte is what our country needs to bring back the days of glory,” Pinol quoted Campos as saying.

“We hope that under his presidency, all bright and talented Filipinos now working overseas would be given the opportunity to come home and help rebuild the Philippines,” he quoted Campos as saying.

Pinol said Campos’ group will go around Filipino communities in the US to solicit support and financial donations.

Pinol said real estate businesswoman Charlotte Macasarte has also gathered the Filipino-American business community in the Bay Area to help support the movement. Allan Nawal and Karlos Manlupig, Inquirer Mindanao