Students protest vs death penalty

CEBU, Philippines - Students in Cebu staged a rally yesterday to protest the reimposition of the death penalty as the House of Representatives convened to tackle the proposed measure.

As this developed, the  Akbayan Youth is also set to launch a 1-million-signature campaign Friday to scrap the death penalty bill as well as the House Bill No. 2, which seeks to lower the minimum age for criminal liability among minors being used as accomplices by criminals.

Akbayan Partylist Representative Tom Villarin will be in Cebu for the launching.

Last Saturday, Cebuanos also staged a “Walk for Life” rally to show its protest against the reimposition of the death penalty.

Students protested against the 'Bitay Bata' bills, a term used for the Duterte administration's priority bills--the House Bill 1, which seeks the return of the death penalty and the House Bill 2.

Nicole Carreon, chairperson of the Union of Progressive Students, said these bills can be considered as a "killer combo."

She said the public might soon see young kids who are going to line up in the death row as soon as the death penalty is reimposed, instead of getting help, care and attention.

Imi Espina, chairperson of Akbayan Youth UP Cebu, believed that the death penalty will not solve the country’s crimes.

The progressive youth group has also urged the Congress to scrap the death penalty bill. The Congress, the group said, should instead address issues on social services and reforming the justice system to solve various crimes.

Earlier, various child rights advocates asked Cebuanos to support their call to oppose the passage of House Bill No. 2. They said it would only result to “negative consequences” for children and the general public once approved.

In House Bill 2, the authors, Alvarez and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, sought to revert the minimum age of criminal liability from the current 15 years old to as young as nine years old.

House Bill 2, titled “Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility Act,” seeks to amend the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006” or Republic Act 9344, which set the minimum age for criminal liability at 15 years old. (FREEMAN)