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Rape-slay of 1-year-old boy may re-ignite calls for death penalty, officials say

The gruesome rape and murder of a one-year-old boy in Makati on Tuesday night could as yet re-ignite calls to re-impose the death penalty, officials said.

There currently are two pieces of legislation pending in the Philippine Senate but none of which includes rape, as the proposed measures tackle drug-related cases and plunder: Senate Bill 207 by neophyte Sen. Bong Go; and Senate Bill 189 by Sen. Manny Pacquio.

President Duterte has, in March 2017, told reporters he favors including rape with homicide in the death penalty legislation pending at the time.

“Medyo kulang. ‘Yun dapat ‘yung rape with homicide, re-rape-in ka, tapos patayin ka; re-rape-in ka tapos kunan ka ng pera tapos papatayin ka. Dapat lang,” Rappler quoted the president as saying at the height of deliberations on House Bill 4727.

Observers said the rape and murder of the one-year-old boy could bolster pro-death penalty proponents’ arguments to reinstate the capital punishment.

The suspect, Gerald Reparip, who admitted to the crime citing alcohol intoxication, is facing charges of rape with homicide, Col. Rogelio Simon, Makati City Police chief, told reporters upon presenting the confessed rapist-murderer to media.

Reparip, 28, could face a life in jail for the crimes.

According to Philippine media reports, the toddler’s remains were found in an abandoned building in Makati this morning. It was in the same building that Reparip, a construction worker from Muntinlupa had a drinking session with the victim’s grandfather who was celebrating his birthday with friends.

“Kung nagawa ko po ‘yun pasensya na po. Nadala lang po ng alak (If I was able to do that, I am sorry. I was just drunk),” Reparip said.

Pressed, Reparip said, “Pinagsamantalahan ko po (I raped him),” and as well admitted that he choked the child.

The death penalty had been outlawed in 1987, reinstated six years later and then abolished again in 2006.

(Inquirer photo)

Staff Report

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