DICTATOR'S BURIAL
Duterte has said he will allow the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos — whose body is displayed in a glass coffin his northern home province — to be buried at a national heroes' cemetery. This may spark a political storm.
The previous president and left-wing activists have opposed such a burial, citing the plunder and massive human-rights violations that happened under the dictator, who was ousted in a 1986 revolt. Duterte argued that those buried at the cemetery were not all heroes, and said he would leave it up to the military whether to bestow full funeral honors. Such a burial, he said, "can be arranged immediately."
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REIMPOSING THE DEATH PENALTY:
Duterte plans to re-impose the death penalty. Hanging is his preferred mode of execution. He said capital punishment will not only deter crimes but is also retribution for crimes committed. It's a plan opposed by the Catholic church and human rights advocates and may derail assistance by allies like the European Union.
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ARROYO'S RELEASE
Duterte said he supports the release of ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from detention on corruption charges — a move also likely to be met with protests. He said Arroyo refused his offer of pardon because she said that would require that she admit wrongdoing and she wasn't guilty of any crime. Duterte said he told her that he would support her if she applied for bail, and that her long detention, partly caused by trial delays, was grounds for dismissal of her case. The 69-year-old Arroyo, who is suffering from a neck ailment, finished her tumultuous term in 2010. Since then, she has been charged with vote fraud and corruption and was detained at a government-run hospital.
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