Duterte wants to impose death penalty by hanging

Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday night said he wants to impose death penalty "by hanging."

"What I would do is urge Congress to restore the death penalty by hanging, especially if you use drugs," Duterte told reporters in Davao City.

A report by Unang Balita said that he wants to revive the death penalty for heinous crimes including robbery with rape.

During the campaign period, Duterte had openly said that he is in favor of reviving the death penalty in the country.

In the second leg of the PiliPinas Debates 2016 in Cebu City, Duterte raised his hand when the presidentiables were asked during the "taas kamay" portion if they are in favor of the revival of the death penalty.

As he raised his hand, Duterte said "on drugs."

The death penalty was abolished during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2006.

Commission on Human Rights chairman Chito Gascon said in an interview with Balitanghali that they will oppose the revival of death penalty.

"Aantabayanan natin ang [magiging] deliberasyon sa Kongreso, at kami sa Commission on Human Rights ay magsa-submit ng posisyon doon. Ang kasalukuyang posisyon ng [CHR] ay iyong death penalty is contrary to human dignity and human rights," Gascon said.

Archbishop-emeritus Oscar Cruz, meanwhile, said the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines will also oppose the plan.

"Wala pong binigyan ng buhay ang estado na kahit sino kay ahindi po siya puwedeng kumuha ng buhay ng kahit sino. Iyan po ay malinaw," he said. —ALG, GMA News