Bato dela Rosa wants firing squad for convicted drug traffickers

Senator-elect Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has called for a firing squad execution of convicted drug traffickers to strike fear among criminals.

“Dapat gawing public [execution], para matakot ang mamamayan, para 'di pamarisan. Firing squad sa plaza, live [telecast], covered by the media,” Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, said at a news conference at Camp Crame.

“Para makita ng taumbayan na hindi tayo dapat gumawa niyo. Magiging deterrent 'yan,” Dela Rosa added.

Firing squad sa mga drug trafficker, isusulong ni Senator-elect Bato dela Rosa sa Senado. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/s4guOjtKiH

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 26, 2019

Under the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty provided by the United Nations Human Rights office, the imposition of death penalty must be “carried out so as to inflict the minimum possible suffering.”

Dela Rosa, however, dismissed possible criticisms from human rights groups on his proposal, including the Commission on Human Rights.

“Bahala sila. Kahit naman anong gawin, nagre-react sila eh,” he said.

Passing a law restoring drug penalty for drug traffickers is a campaign promise of Dela Rosa, a quip that has elicited approval from the audience during the campaign trail.

Congress abolished capital punishment in June 2006. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News