“PATYON nato ang mga drug traffickers pero pinaagi sa balaod (Let’s kill drug traffickers but through the rule of law),” according to former south district representative Antonio Cuenco.
Cuenco, who headed the Committee on Dangerous Drugs on 2001, said it’s the perfect time to reimpose the death penalty.
Better alternative
It’s a better alternative than neutralizing them through so-called extrajudicial killings, he said, adding that this will assure that the law is followed.
“Aron wala nay reklamo ang tibuok kalibotan (So the rest of the world won’t complain), let us restore the death penalty and execute those who are found guilty by a competent court of illegal drug trafficking,” he said during a speech at the Police Regional Office 7 yesterday with majority floor leader Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
According to a Rappler report, 2,004 drug personalities have been killed in what police described as legitimate operations, as of Dec. 1, while 3,658 deaths are under investigation, as of Nov. 23.
“Dili mahimo, we cannot allow things to go on, otherwise mahurot daghan kaayo atong mga igsuon nga mangamatay (many of our fellow countrymen will die),” he said.
Cuenco said he is not blaming President Duterte for the actions the latter has taken to address the illegal drug problem but the death penalty might be a better solution.
Lack of funds
During his speech, Cuenco also stressed the importance of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac), which oversees persons of interest involved in drugs.
“There is no serious implementation of the Badac. Kung ato lang iimplementar ang (If we only implement the) Badac, there will be no illegal (drug) traffickers because they will be caught right away in the barangay, put to jail, put to trial and even put to death,” Cuenco said.
He said barangay captains cited the usual reasons when he asked them about the status of the Badac.
“They find it hard to implement the Badac because of the lack of funds, wala kunoy kwarta, so I would like Senator Sotto that he include a big, a considerable amount for the activation of the Badac in all the barangays throughout the country,” Cuenco saidit.
Sotto replied, “Kaya, kaya (That can be done).”