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Death Penalty Breathes Life into Arroyo's Political Standing
October day, 2001
Summary
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recently ordered the executions of 95 kidnappers, reneging on a pledge to commute all death sentences during her administration. The move will help bolster support for Arroyo in the politically important ethnic Chinese and business communities, which are frequently targeted in kidnap-for-ransom schemes.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presents a Presidential Merit Award to Chairman Philip Watts of the Committee of Managing Directors of the Royal Dutch Shell Group of Companies in ceremonies held Monday night (October 15) at the Office of the President in Malacanang. Looking on is Energy Secretary Vincent Perez.
Photo Credit: Malacanang Photo.
Analysis
Analysis
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the immediate executions of 95 convicted kidnappers in a decision designed to "strike fear " in the hearts of kidnap-for-ransom syndicates, Agence France-Presse reported Oct. 15.
Kidnappings have troubled the Filipino business community -- especially its ethnic Chinese, or Chinese-Filipino, segment -- and threatened the country's viability as a business locale. In an effort to stem capital flight and appeal to the Chinese-Filipino communities, Arroyo has taken a tough stance against kidnapping. Cracking down on this type of crime will boost Arroyo's popularity both at home and abroad.
Kidnap-for-ransom gangs operate independently of militant Muslim groups that carry out abductions in the separatist regions of Mindanao and Zamboanga. The wealthy Chinese-Filipino community has suffered the most from such schemes. Now it is now both politically and economically imperative for Arroyo to take action: Ethnic Chinese comprise only 1 percent of the population of the Philippines but control 20 to 22 percent of its wealth, CNN has reported. By getting tough, Arroyo stands to protect investments in the country and could improve relations with Beijing.
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Dan
Death Penalty Breathes Life into Arroyo's Political Standing . . .