PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday, July 23 said the national police agency fully supports the restoration of the death penalty but maintained his position that the country’s justice system should be fixed first.

“In response to the Sona of President Duterte, the PNP fully supports the legislative agenda of the national government for effective legislation that will add more teeth to the crusade against crime, drugs and corruption, particularly by imposing capital punishment for drug-related heinous crime and plunder, among others,” he said in a press conference in Camp Crame.

“I firmly believe that the deterrent effect of the certainty of punishment will be a game changer in our continuing campaign against illegal drugs, heinous crime and corruption, particularly against drug traffickers, smugglers and peddlers of illegal drugs,” he added.

Albayalde, however, maintained his earlier position that the country’s justice system should be finetuned before the re-imposition of the death penalty.

He said he believed the lawmakers will not approve the measure without a comprehensive review of its provisions.

“That is part of the study, ‘yung death penalty. I am sure Congress will not impose it na parang ganun lang yan and that will be part of our recommendations also. Hindi ‘yung basta na lang tayo magganito and we have problems on some agencies involved hindi ba,” said Albayalde.

“So kailangan talaga. Ang importante dito is we convict those people na talagang guilty. Yun ‘yung stand (ng PNP) but sabi ko nga we are not without hope, even the PNP for that matter kaya kailangan talaga maayos ito para ‘yung tao talaga na kinoconvict natin are the ones really guilty,” he added.

Albayalde said the PNP is already doing its part in preparing for the possible restoration of capital punishment by cleansing its ranks. (SunStar Philippines)