Gamboa: Death penalty could be imposed when illegal drugs seized are over 50 grams

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa leaves it up to lawmakers to determine the degree of reinstating the death penalty against drug offenders.

But if he would be asked, Gamboa said death penalty could be imposed if more than 50 grams of illegal drugs are seized from drug suspects.

"We agree that it can be on the terms of those who are really involved to a certain degree higher than the ordinary peddlers on the streets... It's really up for the Congress and Senate to determine the degree of which death penalty..." Gamboa told ANC on Wednesday.

"In the now campaign of the Philippine National Police, actually ang ginawa kong sort of leverage for them is possibly to confiscate 50 grams and above because 50 grams and above, it would entail a lot of work and a lot of surveillance and a lot of effort... Siguro maglalaro doon, from 50 to 1 kilo... I think that's enough na dapat iimpose 'yung death penalty," he explained.

Gamboa also underscored that the death penalty would be a big boost in the government's campaign against illegal drugs.

"We believe that this is a deterrent... this is a revelation coming from those who are apprehended and counterparts from other countries. Sinasabi nila doon din sa kanilang mga lugar, ganoon din, hindi rin masyadong napipigilan 'yung droga dahil walang death penalty," Gamboa said.

Deterrence 

Speaking to reporters in Camp Crame, Gamboa said the police force believes that there would be a deterrence on crime if the death penalty will be reimposed.

"Nakita natin 'yung even if we compare it with other countries na naaprehend natin na mga foreigners na nandito, ang unang tanong bakit nila ginagawa dito,
because they are in a way convenient in the absence of a death penalty," Gamboa said.

"So... the PNP believes that the death penalty should be imposed on illegal drugs," Gamboa added.

In his 5th State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte renewed his call for the passage of the death penalty for crimes provided under the 2002 Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, for its part, said the absence of capital punishment is favorable for drug peddlers who continue their illegal drug activities despite being detained.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Imee Marcos have said they support death penalty for big-time drug offenders.

On the other hand, the Commission on Human Rights said reinstating the death penalty would mean violation of the country’s commitment under international law. — RSJ, GMA News