miniZibaldone

Philippine Star  "Who needs capital punishment?" There’s no need to restore capital punishment. Since May 10 when the outcome of the presidential race became known, police have gunned down 42 crime suspects all  over the country, with eight killed just over the weekend.  Not even during martial law has the country ever experienced such a state-sponsored killing spree targeting individuals suspected of criminal activities, mostly  peddling illegal drugs. The word “suspect” must be emphasized, as everyone in a free society is supposed to be entitled to due process.  Before capital punishment was abolished, it could be imposed for opium trafficking, dealing drugs within 100 meters of any school, or if the drugs caused death. A  life term or death was also possible for diplomats who engaged in drug smuggling, illegal drug manufacturers and financiers, those who employed minors and the  mentally impaired or sold drugs to them, maintainers of drug dens, an...