Bato says daughter opposed to public execution of drug traffickers

Senator Ronald dela Rosa's daughter is among those who are opposed to his proposal to have convicted drug traffickers shot in public as punishment for their crime.

"Nago-oppose nga sa akin ang anak ko. Sabi ng anak ko, 'Dad, hindi maganda na makita ng mga bata 'yung ganun',” Dela Rosa said during the weekly Kapihan sa Senado.

The neophyte senator has proposed a live telecast of the public execution to strike fear among criminals

Dela Rosa, a former national police chief, said he just told his daughter that it is up to the parents to explain the matter to their children.

"Sabi ko, 'Anak, kaya nga meron tayong parental guidance, dapat i-guide ng mga parents ang mga bata na manonood sa firing squad na ‘yan.' How can we send the message to the Philippine society na ganito dapat ang mangyayari?" he said.

While Dela Rosa was openly advocating public execution, it is not included in Senate Bill 226 that seeks to impose the death penalty in certain crimes punishable under Republic Act 9165.

“If I have my way gusto ko firing squad pero alam ko maraming mago-oppose niyan pero baka mamaya gugustuhin rin nila, sana. I will leave it up dun sa IRR (implementing rules and regulations) na ika-craft ng implementing agency. Basta importante death penalty, mabitay ang dapat mabitay,” he said.

Firing squad range at BuCor compound

Dela Rosa said the execution could be done at the compound of the Bureau of Corrections.

"Sa BuCor, malaki naman ang grounds sa Bilibid. Kung may facility dun for electric chair, meron din sa lethal injection, baka puwede tayong magpagawa ng firing squad range,” he said.

Dela Rosa, who headed the BuCor for several months, expressed hope his fellow lawmakers will support his proposal.

“Noon hindi naipasa [ang death penalty] dahil sabi anti-poor e wala naman drug trafficker na mahirap eh, big time ang mga ito. So I expect support from my colleagues, sana suportahan nila ako,” he said.

“Dun naman sa Church na pro-life na ayaw ng death penalty, lahat tayo sumusunod sa Bibliya. Nasa Bibliya naman ang death penalty, may mga verses dun about death penalty. Sana maintindihan ng Simbahan ang aking version, for drug trafficking lang naman ang aking version,” he added. —KBK, GMA News