Senator Bato dela Rosa has defended his proposal for the restoration of the death penalty, saying his bill will only cover drug trafficking and other drug-related crimes.
“Yung aking proposed measure, sa drug trafficking lang yon. Yung ibang heinous crime hindi kasama kasi nakikita ko mahihirapang lumusot. (My proposed measure covers only drug trafficking. Other heinous crimes are not included because it would make it difficult to be passed),” Dela Rosa said in an interview after gracing the 118th Police Service Anniversary celebration in Camp Gen. Vicente Lim, Calamba, Laguna.
The legislator said his colleagues in the Senate might include other heinous crimes in his proposed re-imposition of the death penalty on certain offenses punishable under Republic Act 9165 or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.”
“My campaign for peace and order especially against illegal drugs has prompted me to file re-imposition of death penalty.”
The lawmaker said his campaign for peace and order especially against illegal drugs has prompted him to file his bill to re-impose the death penalty. This was Dela Rosa’s first bill as senator.
“This would send a strong message to the lawless individuals, especially the so-called “high value targets” in the drug trade that the long arm of the law will surely get them,” the senator said.
He also announced that he had also filed a Senate bill providing scholarship programs for young people who want to join the Philippine National Police.
“My objective is to produce at least one policeman in every barangay (village) to ensure enough personnel at the grassroots level,” Dela Rosa said.
“Every barangay should have home-grown police personnel.”
He said he proposed that every barangay should have home-grown police personnel so that they can serve better because they are more familiar with their areas of responsibility.
Dela Rosa said his proposal would also address shortage of police personnel.
As chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, the lawmaker promised to improve law enforcement in the country.