Front-running presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte gestures during his second news conference after voting in a polling precinct at Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, Matina district, his hometown in Davao city in southern Philippines Monday, May 9, 2016. Duterte was leading by a wide margin in unofficial tallies but still refuses to claim victory. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Who is Rodrigo Duterte?
02:56 - Source: CNN

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Philippines presumptive president says he'll bring back death penalty

Duterte also says he'll allow police to "shoot to kill" those who resist arrest

CNN  — 

Rodrigo Duterte, Philippines’ presumptive president, has said he wants to bring back the death penalty, and empower security forces to “shoot to kill” anyone that resists arrest.

The controversial figure whose tough-on-crime stance brought him a landslide win last week in national elections, reiterated his views on capital punishment Sunday at a press conference saying “if there is no fear in the law or attached to the law…it’s useless.”

“What I would do is urge Congress to restore the death penalty by hanging, especially if you use drugs,” he said according to CNN Philippines.

The country abolished capital punishment in 2006.

Capital punishment: Inhumane aberration or necessary deterrent?

“If you resist arrest…you offer a violent resistance, my order to the police or the military is to shoot to kill,” he added.

The 71-year-old has a long track record of incendiary – sometimes outlandish – claims.

Last week, he promised to step down if he failed to fulfill his promise to stamp out corruption in six months – a feat experts say is impossible.
While on the campaign trail, he said he would execute 100,000 criminals and dump them into Manila Bay, and has suggested killing people as mayor of Davao.

What will Duterte and VP partnership look like?

Although official election results have yet to be announced, with 38.6% of the vote, Duterte’s winning margin is indisputable.

Who will be Duterte’s deputy, however, is not so clear.

Vice-presidential candidate Leni Robredo has the lead with more than 90% of votes tallied, but on Sunday, Bongbong Marcos, son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos who was narrowly behind Robredo claimed he’d won, and alleged irregularities in the count.

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