WHILE prosecutors want the re-imposition of the death penalty and for it to be imposed on accused Australian pedophile Peter Gerald Scully, a women's rights group wants Scully to rot in jail for the rest of his life if convicted.
Regional State Prosecutor Jaime Umpa said Scully deserves the death penalty for the heinous crimes he had committed.
"Kung naa lang death penalty sa Pilipinas, I wanted death penalty to be imposed on him once he is convicted," Umpa said.
But for Gabriela, Scully should serve his sentence in prison to feel the pain of his victims and their families.
"Kung death penalty kaisa ra ang sakit dili ma feel ni Scully ang kasakit sa mga biktima ug sa ilang mga pamilya," Rhodora Bolusan, Gabriela Northern Mindanao Secretary General said.
Gabriela also fears that if convicted, Scully may be deported and be made to serve his sentence in Australia.
Bolusan said Scully should remain in the Philippines and serve his sentence.
"Kay sa experience basin unya i-deport na sad ug didto prisohon sa ilang nasod. Dapat kung aha nakasala didto niya bayran ug serbisyohan iyang sentensya," Bolusan said.
But Bolusan said they remain confident that court would resolve the cases against Scully expeditiously.
"Maayo kay nag start na gyud ang trial at least mahatagan na gyud og hustisya ang mga biktima kay basin unya mabayran na sad atong justice system," Bolusan added.
Scully and his Filipino co-accused, Carme Ann Alvarez, faced the Regional Trial Court Branch 37 by Judge Jose Escobido Tuesday, September 20, for the beginning of the trial in which the prosecution presented its first witness.
Scully's case on five counts of rape by sexual assault and qualified trafficking are currently being heard.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will file another 69 lawsuits against Scully and several of his cohorts in the local courts.
Scully's legal counsel, lawyer Adonis Gumahad, is set to cross examine the social worker as the first witness presented by the prosecution.
The social worker from the City Social Welfare and Development Office is the one who assisted the two minor complainants.
"Initial presentation of prosecution's evidence pa to like first witness kay we have series of witnesses man. Ang first witness mao ang social worker wala pa nato gipresent ang mga biktima mismo," City Prosecutor Merlynn Uy said.
Uy said all the witnesses already have schedules on when to take the witness stand.
The defense has not been able to cross examine the witness due to lack of material time at the onset of the trial.
"Magtiwas pa tingali og present ang prosecution sa witness kay wala pa sad gani to nahuman ang direct examination kay udto na nahuman tungod sa lack of time ayha dayon ko mo cross examine," Gumahad said.
Cross examination of the prosecution's witness is scheduled in the next hearing on October 25.
