Duterte Pushes Lethal Injection for Drug Law Violators

President Rodrigo Duterte had to check if Congress understood him when he brought up death penalty during his State of the Nation Address on Monday. Death by lethal injection should befall those who violate the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, he said.

After the initial reaction from his audience at the Batasang Pambansa, the President said, "I did not hear clapping so I presume you are not interested," which then elicited applause.

Duterte said drug syndicates continued to operate inside the national penitentiary. "This law will not only help us deter criminality, but also save our children from the dangers posed by the illegal and dangerous drugs."

"Do not do it in my country because I will really kill you (drug offenders). That is a commitment," he said.

The House of Representatives passed a bill restoring the death penalty for drug-related crimes in March 2017, only to be stalled in the Senate.