HOUSE OK'S DEATH PENALTY FOR 10 GRAMS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

THE House of Representatives approved death penalty on people in
possession of 10 grams of illegal drugs as approved in third reading
of the house bill amending the Anti Dangerous Drugs Act.

Death will also be imposed on policemen and other law enforcers found
to have planted evidence against suspected pushers.

In an interview Saturday, Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri said
planting evidence -- an act usually alleged to law enforcers by
arrested drug pushers -- is now considered a heinous crime regardless
of the volume being planted.

Zubiri, who was here to witness the Araw ng Davao culminating activity
Saturday, said arrested drug suspects oftentimes cried foul against
the arresting lawmen because of this matter.

"Daghan na ang nahitabo. So we also made proper safeguards," Zubiri
said.

Meanwhile, Zubiri added that an arrested drug pusher, can always go
through a drug test if he/she will make a denial.

The court, he added, would also take cognizance of the witnesses,
friends and family, who will vouch for the suspect's innocence.

The Senate approved version of the bill imposes death by lethal
injection to people caught with 99 grams of shabu.

Its counterpart in the congress (House Bill 4433) is far lower at 10
grams of shabu and other identified illegal drugs such as LSD, Opium,
morphine and cocaine.

Under the approved bill, Marijuana possession of 150 grams has the
same punishment.

The current Dangerous Drugs Act, imposes death to those who will be
caught in possession of 200 grams of shabu, morphine and others.

The same law applies death to people in possession of at least 750
grams of marijuana. The senate proposed law seeks to impose death to
people with 500 grams of marijuana and to those with 10 grams of
Ecstacy, LSD, Opium, morphine, heroine and cocaine.

But the congress' measure, Zubiri said, gives provision for drug
users. On first offense, sanctions are six months rehabilitation and
six months community service while on the second offense, the user
will be given a one year sentence in jail.

"Congress really needs to put an end to drug addiction. We are doing
this because this is a demand. It needs political will to enforce the
law," Zubiri said.