MANILA, Dec. 19, 2014—Amid the
heated talk on the revival of the death sentence, a Catholic priest
reiterates the Church’s stand on the controversial topic, saying it is
more important to reform the whole criminal justice system.
While admitting that killing hardened criminals is a tempting
prospect, Fr. Jerome R. Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)’ Episcopal Commision on
Public Affairs (ECPA), stressed capital punishment is no guarantee that
crimes will not be committed anymore in the future.
Fr.
Jerome Secillano (in white) represented the Church at a Senate
committee hearing on the reinstatement of the death penalty on Dec. 16,
2014. (Photo: Zeigfred R. Samarista)
“Crime prevention is not about killing criminals, it’s about having
an effective police force that will protect the citizenry and apprehend
those who would inflict harm on the same; it’s about having uncorrupt
court personnel who will punish the guilty and set the innocent free and
not the other way around because of money; and it’s all about having a
disciplined Bureau of Corrections that is committed to reforming those
imprisoned and not to babysitting them!” he shared.
According to the priest, who represented the Church in a Senate
hearing on the revival of the death penalty Thursday, Dec. 18, the
reformatory institute is only one part of the whole criminal justice
system that must be reformed and made effective and efficient, including
law enforcement, justice and correction management
Much as he would like to agree with proponents of capital punishment,
Secillano expresses doubts that killing a particular criminal or drug
lord will stop the proliferation of drugs.
“For as long as there are corrupt personnel in the government, even
the conviction of criminals for the penalty of death may not even happen
after all,” he explained.
The priest pointed out the Church is not looking for a perfect single
solution to deter crimes, but only wants different State institutions
to perform their duties according to their mandate.
“When I call on the different institutions to do their tasks
responsibly, effectively and efficiently, it’s a challenge to be
actively engaged in preventing crimes. The call for death penalty is one
of passivity because it allows crime to be committed. Death penalty is
imposed after the fact (crime),” he said.
According to Secillano, the death penalty is “merely a band-aid
solution”, stressing the need to challenge law enforcers and others in
government who are tasked to protect the public.
“Remember, an ounce of prevention is probably much better than a ‘band-aid cure,” he added. (Raymond A. Sebastián/CBCP News)SOURCE: http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=47797
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