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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Illegal logging, mining in Sierra Madre mountains deserve the death penalty--Kiko Barzaga

Illegal logging, mining in Sierra Madre mountains deserve the death penalty--Kiko Barzaga

Published Nov 10, 2025 05:43 pm

At A Glance

  • Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga is once again proposing the return of capital punishment or death penalty in the Philippines, this time on those who compromise the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.
Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (Facebook)
Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (Facebook)


Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga is once again proposing the return of capital punishment or death penalty in the Philippines, this time on those who compromise the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.
"There must be only one punishment for illegal logging and mining in mportant national environmental assets like the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, and that is Death Penalty by Firing Squad," the eccentric Barzaga said in a Facebook post Monday afternoon, Nov. 10.
Barzaga, who calls himself "congressmeow", came up with this statement following reports from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that Typhoon "Uwan" weakened after it hit the mountainous terrains of Luzon, including the Sierra Madre range.
This has apparently "saved" places in Luzon like the National Capital Region (NCR) and its nearby localities, including Cavite, from heavy rains and potential floods.
The Sierra Madre Mountain Range has long been hailed as Luzon's natural defenses against strong typhoons coming from the Pacific Ocean.
An average of 20 storms visit the Philippines each year, making the country highly vulnerable to such disasters.
Barzaga, 27, had earlier pitched the return of death penalty in the Philippines against "repeat offenders" of literring and those who have committed heinous crimes. The firing squad appears to be his preferred method of execution.
It should be noted that the Philippines currently doesnt have capital punishment. The death penalty was abolished in 2006 during the time of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Lethal injection was the method used the last time that death penalty was carried out in the Philippines.
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