BuCor chief backs death penalty for drug convicts

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag said yesterday he is backing the call of President Duterte to reimpose the death penalty through lethal injection.

Duterte, during his fifth State of the Nation Adress on Monday, called for the reinstatement of the death penalty for drug offenses. The President has constantly called for its reimposition.

During his ocular visit around the New Bilibid Prison reservation yesterday, Bantag and members of the media passed through the lethal injection chamber, which is being used as an isolation area for individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

“It is my dream to see this open again,” he said.

In a chance interview yesterday, he said he is backing the death penalty since drug lords “continue with their drug operations” even if they are already convicted.

“There should be a system (for lethal injection). Because, look at them, until they die, they have a system (for selling) illegal drugs,” Bantag said in Filipino.

“As you can see, with just a call from their cellphone, they can deliver outside. So, for me, I am wishing for lethal injection,” he added.

Bantag also asked those who “understand the horrendous situation” of illegal drugs in the country to push for the death penalty anew.

“They are not only (operating here inside) Bilibid. They have lots of contacts. If we have a lethal injection, even the politicians that have contacts with them, they would be afraid,” he said.

Despite these, the bureau chief said he thinks the drug situation within the national penitentiary is “okay,” as there are not many drug transactions reported.

He also lauded the joint moves of numerous government agencies to combat illegal drugs, as he insisted that the war on drugs is “successful” and “continuous.”