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Philippines' Arroyo commutes death sentences+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)MANILA, April 16_(Kyodo) _ Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced Sunday she has commuted the death sentences of more than 1,000 convicts "in the spirit of Easter Sunday." "I wish to announce that we are changing our policy on those who have been imposed the death penalty. We are reducing their penalty to life imprisonment," Arroyo said in her nationally televised Easter Message. She said anyone who falls and makes mistakes has a chance to stand up and correct the wrong he has committed. Many say Arroyo's decision is aimed at wooing Catholic bishops who have criticized her for endorsing a signature drive for a people's initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution. Arroyo in her message also mentioned bishops who had voiced concerns over the political turmoil engulfing this mainly Roman Catholic country of about 85 million. "Our beloved bishops spoke of the people's fear of more chaotic politics even as they struggle to make a decent living. We seek above all the nation's salvation from poverty and discord," Arroyo said. A devout Catholic, Arroyo declared a moratorium on executions when she assumed the presidency in 2001, but a rash of kidnappings and killings in December 2003 prompted her to lift the moratorium. In February, Arroyo said she would certify as urgent a proposed bill seeking to repeal the death penalty. Most Filipinos are Roman Catholics, and the church is opposed to capital punishment. But families of victims of heinous crimes have endorsed the death penalty, arguing it deters crime. Crime victims' groups condemned the announcement. Teresita Ang-See, president of Citizens Action Against Crime, said Arroyo's decision shows "the height of insensitivity and callousness of the government to victims of heinous crimes." "We, victims of kidnap-for-ransom gangs, are dismayed, shocked and saddened by (Arroyo's) announcement," said Ang-See. "It gives a bad signal that the government is softening on hardened, heartless criminals." "The announcement is not only ill-advised but also comes at a very bad time because of the recent resurgence of kidnap-for-ransom cases, averaging one incident a week," Ang-See said. At least 18 Filipino-Chinese kidnap victims joined Ang-See in denouncing Arroyo's decision. Kidnap gangs prey on wealthy Filipino-Chinese who willingly pay ransom for the speedy release of their kidnapped kin. The 1987 Philippine Constitution abolished the death penalty, but a law that took effect in January 1994 restored it for 13 "heinous crimes," including rape, murder and kidnapping. At least seven convicts have been executed by lethal injection since capital punishment was restored, mostly rapists and murderers. |