Brutal slay of Lapu-Lapu schoolgirl may be used for reimposition of death penalty, group says

MANILA, Philippines — Gabriela Women's Party condemned the brutal killing of a 16-year-old girl, who was reportedly raped and skinned to the skull, in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The women’s party-list also expressed concern that the brutal killing may pave way for the revival of the death penalty.

“We are however wary that this death is now being used to push for the reimposition of the death penalty,” Gabriela Women's Party said in a statement on Tuesday. 

“Quickly resorting to the harshest penalty as solution glosses over the inadequacies of the justice system,” it added.

The group made the statement a day after the victim’s lifeless body was found at a vacant lot in Cebu. The Grade 9 student was reported missing prior to this.

READ: DepEd, CHR condemn brutal killing of Lapu-Lapu schoolgirl

'Monstrous act'

The women's party-list said it condoles with the family of the victim and calls for a thorough investigation so that justice may be attained in the murder that it described as “monstrous act.” 

“We amplify our call to end all forms of violence against women,” the group added.

The group previously expressed opposition against the reimposition of death penalty in the past years.

For Gabriela Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, death penalty is not the solution to curb rape and fix the justice system. 

Brosas said the government should instead focus on efficiency of investigations and fast-tracking the pending cases before courts. 

“The defects of our judicial and legal processes that spawn injustice and impunity cannot be cured by the reimposition of the death penalty. On the contrary, the defect and festering practices in the judiciary will worsen,” Brosas said in March 2017 when she voted against the House Bill 4727 or the death penalty bill.

The death penalty was abolished in the Philippines in 1987, a year after President Ferdinand Marcos was ousted. It was, however, reinstated in 1993 under then President Fidel Ramos.

Under the leadership of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo death penalty was again suspended in 2006 but the Duterte administration is pushing for its revival.

The death penalty bill was initially approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading in March last year.

READ: House passes death penalty bill on third reading

The Lower House, however, withdrawn its approval of House Bill 8909 or the death penalty bill for convicted drug offenders, particularly those found committing the offense during parties, social gatherings and meetings.