schoolscolleges2020 hed news


'NO TO DEATH PENALTY.' Xavier Ateneo group opposes the reimposition of death penalty in the country, calling it as "a wanton disregard for life." Photo by Carlo Pailagao.

Words by Stephen Pedroza and Angelo Lorenzo 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Members of the Xavier Ateneo community took to the streets on Wednesday afternoon, March 8, their opposition on the restoration of capital punishment in the country.

Dubbed as "Panaghugpong Batok sa Death Penalty," the protest started with a noise barrage in front of the Student Entrepreneurship Center (SEC) gate of the university.

XU president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ frontlined the said protest, along with students, faculty, and staff. 

“This is a noise for life," said Yap. “This fight is not yet finished and the Church will lobby hard against death penalty's reimposition.”

Yap enumerated three “strong” reasons why the death penalty should not be reinstated: first, many studies have revealed that death penalty does not deter crimes; second, extrajudicial killings might be "legitimized," and lastly, life must be respected for its sanctity and as God's sacred gift.

The noise barrage, which amplified the "No to death penalty!" chant in tune with the siren and whistles, encouraged passing vehicles to honk their horns in consonance with the university's stance.

"The death penalty does not guarantee a solution to crimes. It's unjust and inhumane. It is a violation of human rights," said XU Social Development cluster's advocacy coordinator Nestor Banuag.

"The justice system needs to be reformed rather than re-implementing the death penalty. We need to unite against this and we cannot be silenced," Banuag added.

The group also called upon the four congressmen representing Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City — Rep Rolando Uy (CDO 1st District), Rep Maximo Rodriguez (CDO 2nd District), Rep Pedro Unabia (MisOr 1st District), and Rep Juliette Uy (MisOr 2nd District) — to explain their reasons for voting in favor of the reimposition of the capital punishment.

“We want to hear from our congressmen why they made this decision,” drummed Banuag. “This isn't just a political issue, it also concerns morality.”


JUSTICE SYSTEM REFORM. XU Social Development cluster's advocacy coordinator Nestor Banuag says at the protest: "The justice system needs to be reformed rather than re-implementing the death penalty. We need to unite against this and we cannot be silenced." Photo by Carlo Pailagao.

XU's Panaghugpong Batok Death Penalty formed part of the solidarity of Ateneo universities and others religious institutions across the country to stand up against the “wanton disregard for life that capital punishment represents.”

In a statement, Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus superior Fr Antonio F Moreno SJ lauded the "unity with partners in mission who have expressed their dedication to the cause of life."

Earlier in February, in a highly publicized letter to the Jesuit-run academic institution in Cagayan de Oro City, the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus added its voice to the chorus of dissent against moves in Congress to reinstate the death penalty.

"The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, in its 30 January statement on the death penalty, reiterated the Church's stand on this issue: 'When we condemn violence, we cannot ourselves be its perpetrators, and when we decry murder, we cannot ourselves participate in murder, no matter that it may be accompanied by the trappings of judicial and legal process.' The Philippine Jesuits stand behind our bishops in condemning the wanton disregard for life that capital punishment represents, something made even more repulsive in a context where rampant killing has been taking place with apparent disregard or even endorsement," Moreno wrote in his letter.

House Bill 4727, which seeks the reimposition of the death penalty on heinous drug-related offenses, has been approved on the third and final reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 7 — 217 voted "yes," 54 said "no," and one abstained from casting a vote.

The current version of the controversial bill, which will now proceed to the Senate, excluded plunder, rape, and treason from the death sentence.∎ (with reports by Hedda Dargantes)