OVERVIEW

Have you ever thought about if the person next to you is a killer or a rapist? If he is, what would
you want from the government if he had killed someone you know? In today's world, terrible
crimes are being committed daily. Many people believe that these criminals deserve in faith;
death penalty is the maximum sentence used in punishing people who kill another human being
in an immoral way.

Now, it’s time for the government to revive the death penalty in view of the rising heinous crimes
being committed out on the streets and homes even in broad daylight. Despite of the laws
imposed in the Philippines it still does not deter the commission of heinous crimes. Most of the
criminals don’t mind to be put in jail, because they know they can still be released. Today, there
are many pros and cons to this death penalty issues. However, if people weigh the arguments
properly, and have empathy for the victims, they will be more in favor to death penalty.

PRACTICABILITY

Death penalty is a fitting response to increasing criminality and killings in the country. If we
have death sentence, and deter future murderers, we spared the lives of future victims (the
prospective murderers gain, too; they are spared punishment because they were deterred)

Yes, we are all witnesses on how these killings filled the banner stories of our daily news since
then. In fact, killings and crimes have become staples in our consciousness – etched even among
our children who either witness these crimes in person or are exposed in various forms of media
which are relentless in showcasing crimes perpetrated almost daily.

Let me categorize these killlings into three kinds: First is the kind that is brought about by the
commission of a crime. These are murder incidents committed against innocent civilians during
robberies, thieveries and carnappings. Some committed to conceal the body of another crime
such as rape.

The second kind of killing is the one brought about by the recent war on drugs, which can be
classified into two types; the legal and the extra judicial. Under our Revised Penal Code, a killing
shall be justified if the same is done in the performance of a lawful duty or in defense of oneself,
otherwise it is considered a crime. Thus, killings done by the police in pursuance of their duty
during an encounter of armed resistance are considered legal.

And the last category of killings prevalent in our street nowadays are those done by gun-for-hires
who perpetuate the death trade through employment of motorcycles, otherwise popularly known
in our streets as the “Riding in tandems”. These are assassins hired to commit murder against
civilians for a fee. Such heinous crime is resorted to by individuals due to different motives, such
as eliminating business rivals, revenge, etc.
Death penalty is a measure to restore respect for the laws of the land. Death penalty is a path to
achieving justice. Reimposition of death penalty is geared towards a genuine reform in the
Philippine criminal justice system.

BIBILICAL ASPECT (Bible Verses)

(Romans 13:4) "For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be
afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to
bring punishment on to the wrongdoer."

 5th Commandment (Thou shall not kill) – (Genesis 9:6) 'Whoever sheds human blood, by
humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God, has God made mankind.'
- (Exodus 21:12) ‘Whoever hurts a person who died shall also be killed.’
 6th Commandment (Thou shall not commit adultery) – (Leviticus 20:10) ‘The man that
commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he that commits adultery with his
neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and adulteress shall surely be put to death.’
 7th Commandment (Thou shall not steal) – (Exodus 21:16) ‘He that steals a man, and sells
him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.’

LEGAL ASPECT

Under Article 3, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution, emphasizing the word "unless":

- "Excessive fines shall not be imposed, not cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment
inflicted. Neither shall death penalty be imposed, unless, for compelling reasons involving
heinous crimes."

INNOCENT KILLINGS

There is no proof that any innocent person has actually been executed since increased safeguards
and appeals were added to our death penalty system in the 1970s. Even if such executions have
occurred, they are very rare. Imprisoning innocent people is also wrong, but we cannot empty the
prisons because of that minimal risk. Hypothetical claims of innocence are usually just delaying
tactics to put off the execution as long as possible.

Innocent killings may also be caused by extrajudicial killings and not because of death penalty.