Senator Ronald Bato Dela Rosa has refiled a measure seeking to reinstate capital punishment by lethal injection for individuals found guilty of large-scale illegal drug trafficking.
“We will not distinguish between domestic or foreign offenders,” Dela Rosa said.
“Anyone who is unwise enough to even think of entering into these unlawful acts of illegal drug trafficking or those who continue their brazen operations should face the consequences and feel the full weight of our law,” he added.
Once enacted into law, the bill shall be known as “Death Penalty for Large-scale Illegal Drug Trafficking.
The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said that with harsher penalties and a renewed focus on dismantling criminal networks, the legislation aims to decisively reduce the drug supply and confront the regional surge in illicit trafficking before it spins entirely out of control.
To prevent not only the proliferation of illegal drugs and the chaos it brings to communities, Dela Rosa emphasized the need to target the source directly.
“While putting behind bars small time street drug pushers is a step forward in rehabilitating our nation, we must hunt down the syndicates that has enriched themselves by preying upon our poor people,” he said.
The proposed legislation classifies large-scale trafficking of illegal drugs as “wicked and dangerous.”
It states that “large-scale illegal trafficking is committed by any person who illegally cultivates, cultures, delivers, manufactures, sells, trades, transports, distributes, imports, exports and possesses any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical involving quantity of not less than one kilo (1kl) or more, unless authorized by law. Any person who commits large-scale illegal trafficking as defined herein shall suffer the penalty of death.” (Dhel Nazario)
