Locsin revives opposition to death penalty after OFW execution in Saudi Arabia
MANILA, Philippines — Following the execution of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin Jr. has revived his call against the reimposition of the death penalty in the country.
In a tweet on Thursday, Locsin said the Filipina’s execution is the reason why “we cannot adopt the death penalty.”
“We lose the argument of respecting our culture which abhors the taking of a human life by a cold formal state justice system when we believe that a state exists to protect life,” he added.
Damn. This is why we cannot adopt the death penalty; we lose the argument of respecting our culture which abhors the taking of a human life by a cold formal state justice system when we believe that a state exists to protect life. https://t.co/p71QiK39Yz
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) January 31, 2019
The DFA earlier reported that a 39-year-old household service worker in Saudi Arabia was executed last Tuesday after being found guilty of murder.
READ: OFW executed for murder in Saudi Arabia — DFA
The country’s top diplomat has been consistent in his opposition against the revival of the death penalty, which remains priority of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a tweet in 2016, Locsin called on lawmakers to “withdraw that barbarous bill reimposing death penalty” because it “doesn’t work and it is messy.”
“Death penalty demeans us,” he added.
Damn. This is why we cannot adopt the death penalty; we lose the argument of respecting our culture which abhors the taking of a human life by a cold formal state justice system when we believe that a state exists to protect life. https://t.co/p71QiK39Yz
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) January 31, 2019
Locsin, who was appointed by the President, assumed his position as DFA Secretary in November of last year. /muf
READ: CA confirms Locsin as DFA secretary
