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Philippines President-Elect Vows to Resume Executions

HeadlineMay 17, 2016

Philippines President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to seek to restore the death penalty. In his first comments to journalists following his victory in last week’s election, Duterte said he would also give security forces the power to shoot to kill suspects who evade arrest. During his campaign, Duterte vowed to kill tens of thousands of criminals. He addressed reporters on Monday.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte: “Heinous crimes committed with licensed firearms must be death. Rape plus death as a victim must be death penalty. Kidnapping coupled with ransom [inaudible] must be death penalty. Robbery with homicide with rape, double the hanging. After hanged first, then there will be another ceremony for the second time.”

Duterte has been called the Filippino Trump. Executions have been suspended in the Philippines since 2006 amid opposition from the Catholic Church.

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