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Philippine House approves bill to restore death penalty
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Thousands of Roman Catholics march around Manila's Rizal Park to oppose the revival of the death penalty by the Philippine Congress as well as the killings of drug users and drug pushers in the so-called war on drugs by President Rodrigo Duterte at dawn Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 in Manila, Philippines. The Catholic Church expressed alarm over the killings of more than 7,000 people so far since Duterte assumed office last year. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (AP/Bullit Marquez)
T
he Philippine House of Representatives has approved a bill to restore the death penalty by hanging, lethal injection or firing squad for drug offenses, despite opposition from the influential Roman Catholic church.
The House said 216 members approved the proposed legislation, 54 voted against it and one abstained Tuesday, bringing nearer to reality President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign promise to restore capital punishment for hardcore criminals, especially drug traffickers.
The House bill must be merged with the version being discussed in the Senate and then signed by Duterte before becoming law.
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo abolished the death penalty in 2006. Now the deputy House speaker, she voted against its reimposition Tuesday.
