Arroyo's doubtful call for abolition of death pena

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Arroyo's doubtful call for abolition of death penalty


I AGREE with the editorial titled "Diminishing space." (Inquirer, 5/2/06).
I am a Catholic and a pro-life advocate, and I helped the campaign of the
Church against the culture of death. But I doubt Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's
sincerity in her call for the abolition of the death penalty.

Her meaningless reaction -- silence until lately -- to the spate of
killings of church workers and activists belies her call. With such
reaction, she will surely inspire more violence against those who fight
for justice and peace. In fact, she is now promoting the culture of
impunity and death.

I agree with the US Department of State when it said in its latest human
rights report that "pervasive weakness in the rule of law, official
impunity and the wide disparity between rich and poor contributed to
cynicism about official justice."

I cannot believe that Arroyo is sincere in her desire to abolish the death
penalty for as long as extra-judicial killings go on and on.

BERT ELIJAH -- CORRALES

(source: Letter to the Editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer)