Do You Support Death Penalty For The Rapist?

By Alon Calinao Dy: Every day, more and more men engage in sexual crimes due to the heavy influence of illegal drug use, alcohol abuse, and watching pornography. Because there is no death penalty in the Philippines, rape victims who should be protected by our authorities are often afraid to pursue the complaints in the tribunal against their perpetrators. 

I'd seen many rape victims appeared terrified before a trial, especially if they face influential violators who have more connections and money to pay for a settlement.

In the Philippines, we have many activist groups like Akbayan and Gabriela that fight for the women's rights and seek for a fair trial among these victimized women. But it is not just a group of women who are sexually abused, but also a number of men who are not properly reported to the authorities.

There are a lot of supporters who campaign that it is time to bring back the death penalty in the country. Sometimes, these influential perpetrators are not being charged for the criminal offenses they have committed because they know a local judge or they can pay large amounts of money.

Though no laws would grant to kill those rapists who are caught in the act, the locals should think ways on how to decrease the crimes on the streets. If the death punishment is the only solution for this, then our authorities should act on it and let it happen in order to save many lives.

It is unusual anymore what's happening these days in our country. I couldn't watch TV due to a large act of rape cases in the Philippines. I'm simply an ordinary citizen expressing my thoughts, as I have observed, lots of people wish to bring back the capital punishment in the country since the women's rights are often violated with no prompt solutions.

I understand the need of the death penalty when I first published my article Do You Agree With This Kind of Penalization For The Rapist? since thousands of people all over the world agree with me that it is about time for this kind of punishment, especially here in the Philippines.

Another issue that concerned me is the opposite views of our church and other religions who are so-called Pro-life.  As a matter of fact, I always honor the essential of life, but the sudden rise of rape victims with homicide nowadays, opens my eyes to see the reality that these victimized women don't deserve these inhumane acts. Will these religious leaders bring back the innocent lives that these criminals have taken?

Of course, I do have a huge regard for these religious people. I admire them when they preach the gospel of God and when they teach our children about the importance of forgiveness and love. I look up to them because they are the people of God.

However, the Philippines has had a significant increase number of criminals over the years. These law offenders do not respect the value of life and do not care to anyone even if he is a high priest, for they can kill whoever they want to eliminate and make it a point that it becomes an ordinary thing for them.

Anyone can be a prey or a target. That's why it is time to let them know that our government upholds a strong law that condemns heinous crimes and instill a great fear for those people who commit criminal activities such as rape with homicide, murder, drug-trafficking, etc.

Do You Agree With This Kind of Penalization For The Rapist?

By Alon Calinao Dy: In the Philippines, there are several rape victims every day and most of them are not being reported to the proper government agencies. Nonetheless, the blame is not to the government alone, but for those irresponsible people who watch pornography and used illegal drugs.

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The  most usual problem is that many Filipinos always have a change of heart when it comes to decision-making. If they desire a real change and harsh punishment for the criminals, so be it. If they want to bring back the death penalty, then support it.

I do think that life is precious and full of choices. I am not God to decide the destiny of one's life. On the benefits of many innocent people, I do believe that many criminals have no positions on earth, especially those who have multiple rape incidents and other heinous crimes.

A lot of people tell me that "No, it is only God who possesses the right to take one's life." I appreciate their input and respect their views. At God's point, it is likely a mortal sin to kill one's life. I have asked myself these questions so many times, do these criminals also think the value of life after they shoot down people? How many innocent lives could we save if we don't give criminals another opportunity to commit crimes?

Indeed, killing innocent life is a great sin. But if the sanctions could save more lives, then let's do it. If they are confirmed rapists, it is the people's right to ascertain the safety of their loved ones. Let's not watch and wait for another rape victim. Let's do something to prevent these criminal offenses.

The rape incidents in the Philippines are rapidly increasing because the authorized people who hold the power to impose the law are not doing anything about it. The government should stand steady to our justice system. If it is necessary to move back to the old ways of punishing somebody, then  make it happen to reduce the number of killings and rape victims. 

Let's say 'Barbaric Practices or Stone to Death.' I guess that would be OK to show criminals how serious the government is to ensure the security of innocent people.

After all, history repeats itself.