Despite calls by various groups for the reimposition of the capital punishment for certain crimes, Malacañang on Sunday said that President Benigno Aquino 3rd has not changed his stance on the issue.

In an interview aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan (dzRB), Palace deputy spokesman Abigael Valte said that the President is not convinced that restoring death penalty for capital crimes would strike fear in the hearts of criminals and deter crime.

“The position of the President as far as the death penalty is concerned has not changed. He is not for the death penalty,” Valte said.

She added that Mr. Aquino believes that current laws are enough to deter criminals, even after the shooting rampage in Cavite province that left eight persons dead.

“The position of the President when it comes to any form of crime is always to deter. The effective deterrent to crime would be the knowledge that there will certainty be punishment,” she explained.

The President has time and again ruled out the reimposition of the death penalty, saying that capital punishment can only be applied if a judicial system is perfect and flawless.

“I used to support the death penalty. But I’ve seen for myself that the implementation of justice is not perfect, so I have changed my position,” Mr. Aquino said.

Capital punishment was abolished in the Philippines in 2006.