Arroyo lifts halt on death penalty

Arroyo lifts halt on death penalty

PHILIPPINES: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said in Manila on Thursday that she had lifted a moratorium on the death penalty and the government will resume carrying out capital punishment first on kidnappers.

In a nationally televised news conference, Arroyo said criminals have been emboldened since she suspended the death penalty after she took office in January and kidnappers have instilled fear among the business community.

She said she ordered the Justice Department "to study how the cases against kidnappers could be sped up so that they could be executed as soon as possible."

Arroyo met Filipino-Chinese business groups early this week, promising to get tough on crime. --AP