Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Friday called for a review of the revival of the death penalty for heinous crimes, alongside the passage of key legislative reforms aimed at dismantling criminal syndicates, holding corrupt officials accountable and restoring peace and order in the country.
The overall chair of the House Quad Committee made the call during his opening statement at the seventh public hearing of the joint panel tasked with investigating the links between illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), the proliferation of the illicit drug trade, land grabbing by certain Chinese nationals, and the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs.
Barbers, who also chairs the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, underscored the need to revive the death penalty as a deterrent for heinous crimes, including drug trafficking and EJKs.
“Naging urong-sulong po tayo sa usaping death penalty noong mga nakalipas na panahon. Tingnan nyo ang nangyari. Sumama po lalo ang naging lagay ng ating kapayapaan at kaayusan. Hindi na takot ang mga kriminal. Lantaran ang ginawang pamamaslang na ngayon ay tinawag nating extrajudicial killings,” Barbers lamented.
In its investigation into drug-related EJKs under the Duterte administration, the Quad Committee exposed law enforcement officers serving as "hired killers," carrying out executions based solely on suspicions of drug involvement.
Barbers noted that these killings were driven by financial incentives, with officers receiving rewards for each death, as long as the victim was labeled a "drug personality."
Beyond the call for the revival of death penalty, Barbers outlined a series of legislative amendments that he believes are crucial in addressing the root causes of criminality.
He proposed amending the Cybercrime Law to address the rampant issues of online gambling, hacking, and investment scams, which have provided new platforms for organized crime syndicates.
Barbers also called for amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act to empower the government to take swift action against suspicious financial activities, even before formal charges are filed, ensuring that illegal funds are intercepted before they can be used to further criminal enterprises.
He highlighted the need to reform the Revised Corporation Code, emphasizing that only legitimate individuals and entities should be allowed to create corporations, as shell companies have been a tool for money laundering and other illicit activities.
Barbers pointed out that amending the Local Government Code is necessary to prevent the abuse of power by local government units in reclassifying and converting land, which has been exploited by foreign nationals and corrupt officials.
The veteran lawmaker also proposed reforms to birth registration laws, underscoring the importance of ensuring that only true Filipino citizens are registered, thereby preventing fraudulent claims of citizenship.
He further emphasized the need to amend the Land Registration Act to ensure that only Filipino citizens and legitimate corporations can own land in the Philippines, as there have been numerous cases of illegal land acquisitions by foreign entities.
In strengthening the Witness Protection Act, Barbers stressed that those testifying against organized crime should be provided with the highest level of security, as their testimonies are essential in bringing criminals to justice.
He also called for a review of the current system of visa issuance, recommending that the powers to issue visas be restricted to the Department of Foreign Affairs to prevent abuse by other agencies, which have facilitated the entry of foreign nationals involved in illegal activities.
Barbers emphasized that these amendments are vital to restoring public trust in the government and maintaining order in the country.
“The proposed legislations we have outlined today are not just responses to the pressing issues of illegal drug trade, POGO-related crimes, and extrajudicial killings; they represent a crucial step toward building a more just and secure future for our country,” he said.
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