SOTTO PROPOSES RETURN OF DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUGS TRAFFICKERS

Former senator Vicente "Tito'' C. Sotto III, now chairman of the
Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), said yesterday he will work for the
re-imposition of ''death penalty'' for those convicted for illegal
drugs trafficking and capital offenses, including heinous crimes.

Centering on drug traffickers, Sotto said "this is one serious
problem that the government must give priority to -- as too many
families have been gravely affected, in fact, destroyed because of
this social menace, which is worldwide.''

Sotto, the principal author of Republic Act No. 7659 enacted in 1993
which reimposed death penalty on capital offenses, said, "the drug
problem in the Philippines has become too big -- in fact, its turf
which used to be in the circle of the rich, the affluent and
powerful, is now felt in the barangay level.''

In 2006, RA 7659 was repealed as Congress made ''life imprisonment''
as the maximum punishment for criminal offenses, including
drug-related cases.

Sotto said that he will make proper representation with Congress for
the return of death sentence, stressing he was initiating talks with
Sen. Gregorio Honasan, chairman of the Senate committee on drugs and
public order.

In the Philippines, sources said that there are around 5,000
''regular'' and ''casual'' illegal drug users.

Methamphetamine hydrochloride or ''shabu'' leads the list of the
major prohibited drugs, under the official list of DDB. Shabu is
followed by marijuana.

Sotto said: "The big fish are virtually scot free, the small are the
only ones jailed, and, at times, sentenced, under the Republic Act
No. 9165 -- the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs of 2002.''

Sotto is also a principal author of RA 9165, together with the late
Sen. Robert Z. Barbers and other lawmakers.

On the return of death penalty for drug traffickers, Sotto welcomed
the suggestions of heads of other government agencies and the private
sector that "this must be reimposed for drug traffickers, their
brains and protectors.''

Heads of agencies and groups who support the reimposition of death
penalty for drug traffickers include Senior Undersecretary Dionisio
R. Santiago, director general of the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency (PDEA) and Chairman Dante Jimenez of the Volunteers Against
Crime and Corruption.