Arroyo Lifts Ban on Death Penalty in Philippines

[Freddie Stubbs]

MANILA (Reuters) - Reacting to public anger over a wave of kidnappings, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (news - web sites) lifted a moratorium on the death penalty Friday, opening the way for executions on one of the world's most crowded death rows.

The move follows a series of kidnappings targeting the ethnic Chinese community that have given likely rivals in next May's presidential election added ammunition to attack Arroyo's record on curbing rampant crime.

It also signals a rare break by Arroyo with the powerful Roman Catholic Church, which helped propel her to power in January 2001 after the collapse of Joseph Estrada (news - web sites)'s presidency.

"I shall no longer stand in the way of executions scheduled by the courts for January 2004," Arroyo said in a statement.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=574&e=15&u=/nm/20031205/wl_nm/philippines_executions_dc

[Tempest]

1. You know Bush had a hand in the decision

Bush has been pushing for the Philippines to execute convicted terrorists.