On Sunday night, Rodrigo Duterte, the presumptive president-elect of the Philippines, said he plans to bring back capital punishment, banned in 2006, and allow police to "shoot to kill" in certain cases. "What I would do is urge Congress to restore the death penalty by hanging, especially if you use drugs," Duterte told reporters in Davao City, where he has been mayor for 22 years. He would also reportedly seek the death penalty for rape and robbery. The country's Catholic bishops said they would oppose the reinstatement of capital punishment.
Duterte also warned that "if you resist, show violent resistance, my order to police [will be] to shoot to kill," adding: "Shoot to kill for organized crime. You heard that? Shoot to kill for every organized crime." Set to be sworn in June 30, Duterte ran on a tough-on-crime platform.
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