Death penalty to be suspended

Manila - Philippine President Joseph Estrada has agreed to suspend the death penalty until the end of this year in response to…

Manila - Philippine President Joseph Estrada has agreed to suspend the death penalty until the end of this year in response to a request by Catholic bishops, the presidential palace said yesterday.

Amnesty International described the move as a breakthrough for human rights in the Philippines and expressed hope the moratorium would lead to abolition of the death penalty.