CSOs protest against death penalty revival

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu’s civil society organizations against the re-imposition of the death penalty marched from Fuente Osmeña circle to Cebu Provincial Capitol grounds yesterday morning to drum up public awareness against capital punishment.

The second of the 21-day cross-country pilgrimage march-caravan dubbed “Lakbay-Buhay Laban sa Death Penalty Bill” was held in Cebu City.

At least 15 caravan participants arrived in the city yesterday and were welcomed by several local CSOs as they amplified their stands against the government’s attempt to revive the death penalty.

The groups held a short program at the Capitol grounds.

Father Roberto Reyes, who is also known for his social and political activism, said the country’s severe problem is not actually the proliferation of illegal drugs, but rather the worsening poverty.

“I disagree with this government that focuses on illegal drugs as the number one problem. It is actually poverty. Illegal drugs (trade) strive because poverty continues to exist. The death penalty is skewed in favor of those in power but against the poor,” he said.

“The problem is not drugs, drugs is only a symptom of a deeper problem. So we do not solve a health issue if we give medicine to symptoms when the root cause is not addressed. Root causes like lack of opportunity, lack of education, inequality that leads to poverty,” he added.

Despite the president’s tirades against the Catholic Church, Reyes said they will not stop until their voices will be heard by the lawmakers.

He said the poor would be the target of abuses should the death penalty bill be passed as a law.

“It’s a good thing the Church has still the moral voice even if we are being attacked to say what is right or what is wrong. This is our moral duty regardless if we are criticized or killed for what we are to say,” he said.

From Cebu, the pilgrims will travel to other 12 cities and provinces before reaching Metro Manila. They will go to Tacloban City, Borongan City, Catarman, Sorsogon, Legaspi City, Naga City, Gumaca and Lucena City, San Pablo City, Lipa City in Batangas, and Imus in Cavite.

They will go to Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City on May 19 and be in CAMANAVA the next day. On May 21, they will proceed to the University of Santo Tomas and stage a protest outside the Senate from May 22 to 24.

The Lakbay-Buhay Laban sa Death Penalty caravan started from Cagayan de Oro on May 4, staging a 4,000-kilometer march.

The nationwide movement is a gathering of entities from the religious, academe, media, and business sectors, among others, to put a stop to the revival of the death penalty.

The House of Representatives passed the Death Penalty Bill last March despite strong opposition from various sectors, including religious groups.

It is already a step closer to being passed as a law. It is now being deliberated at the Senate.

From an initial list of 21 crimes that included rape, treason and plunder, the House leadership decided to limit the death penalty to drug-related crimes and offenses. — May B. Miasco and Chiara Lei L. Quilapio (FREEMAN)