Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers wants to bring back the death penalty in the country so that foreigners involved in the distribution of illegal drugs in the Philippines can be hanged–like the Chinese–Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers.
Barbers made the statement following China’s execution of two Filipinos who were sentenced to death for smuggling shabu there in 2013.
“We urge the two Houses of Congress to take a serious look at the reimposition of the death penalty, most especially on drug related offenses. Our compatriots convicted in foreign lands for drug trafficking are almost always executed while we extend kid gloves treatment if not VIP treatment to foreigners, especially Chinese nationals, who are apprehended and convicted of the same offense here,” said Barbers, head of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
It was 2006 when the Philippines abolished the death penalty in the country.
Rep. Ace Barbers wants to bring back death penalty vs drug traffickers
“There should be a similar punishment imposed on these foreign nationals as well as fellow Filipinos who introduce drugs into the country. If other countries treat illegal drugs as a threat to their citizenship and the whole society, why are we so soft in treating this menace in our own territory?” added Barbers.
According to the congressman, the Chinese who distribute illegal drugs in the Philippines are doing worse, but no one has been hanged in the country yet.
“We have yet to see one Chinese convict being executed to deter others from committing such a heinous crime. It seems that we have accepted all the exports from China, from POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations) to illegal gambling and kidnapping syndicates, sleeper cells, illegal drugs and what have you,” Barbers insisted.
“It is obvious that we have become the dumping ground of the scum in their society, yet we seem to be oblivious to what they are doing to our country. Our eyes seem to be wide shut,” he added.
In 1973, Chinese drug lord Lim Seng was sentenced to death by firing squad by former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
The shooting of Lim Seng was broadcast on television to serve as a warning to those who distribute illegal drugs in the country.
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