Death Penalty : Life Deprivation, Not a Solution

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Extrajudicial killings together with constitutional killing brought about by death penalty will only add to the growing climate of fear and impunity in the country. It will further undermine the people's human rights, particularly the right to life. The government's plan to reimpose the death penalty contradicts its supposed rehabilitation and reformation programs for convicted drug users and criminals. Proper and modern law enforcement, including standing behind the protection of human rights and observance of the rule of law, are the best methods to protect the people from crime and illegal drugs. A fast, fair and working justice system is the more effective deterrent against crime (Hontiveros, 2017)

Given the “imperfections” in the criminal justice system, the prospect of executing innocent people remains. Death penalty is “biased against the poor.” Death row was rife with stories about how people were not given adequate and competent legal counsel during their trial. A genuine response to crime is not only measured by the severity of its punishment but by the certitude of arrest and conviction of offenders. (Borres, 2017)

Death penalty has not been proven to be a deterrent to crime. Only those who can’t afford expensive litigation fees are bound to face it. If a person has committed a crime, life imprisonment is more than enough punishment for him to suffer and to transform him into a better person. After all, God has His way of retribution. The death penalty must be abolished. (Failon, 2017)

Further, Death Penalty will also violate Christian Faith. Jesus teaches the people to forgive and to have mercy. Death penalty leaves no room for forgiveness and mercy. The passage of death penalty do not value life as a precious gift from God.

Studies after studies have shown that neither death penalty nor severity of punishment deter crimes. Fair and consistent enforcement of the law does. (Arjona, 2017) 4

The bible shows David committed adultery and murder, yet God did not demand his life be taken. Thankfully, God demonstrates His love for the people in not condemning them. Christians believe that Christ died for everyone. They believe that every human being is saved by God from their sins. Only God knows with certainty whom and when he will take someone’s life. When we take another human life unnecessarily, we overran God’s plan and disrespect Him. Further, God also in his commandments ordered the people not to kill someone because death is something left for him to decide.

After all, the people don’t have the power to take someone’s life. Humans live equally and nobody has the right to end a life of someone because in the end, it's God who will decide on death. The state shall focus on other ways to end problems and deter crimes. Killing is not the answer.

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Bibliography

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/878679/priests-tell-senators-its-not-too-late-to-stop-death-penalty#ixzz4atxlQmcj

@inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

https://www.gotquestions.org/death-penalty.html

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2016/03/why-authentic-christians-must-oppose-the-death-penalty/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_the_Philippines

http://pcij.org/blog/2006/04/18/a-timeline-of-death-penalty-in-the-philippines

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