Utah Pinoys react to state’s firing squad bill

SALT LAKE CITY  –  At the Utah capitol building last week, lawmakers passed a bill that would make Utah the only state in the country to allow death penalty by firing squad if officials cannot obtain lethal-injection drugs.

Filipino American Justine Tabligan attended the bill’s public hearing and vote and said that the senate focused its discussion on the cost of lethal-injection drugs and the humaneness of execution by firing squad.

“They export drugs from outside America to America, and it costs them shipping. It costs them a lot more money to bring them here,” she said. “They brought up the point that a firing squad is just not humane.”

Gov. Gary Herbert declined to say if he will sign the legislation, and it’s unclear whether the bill will become law.

Utah’s Filipino community is split over the issue. Opponents of the measure point to Philippine history and Dr. Jose Rizal’s execution by firing squad.

“He was shot in the back by a firing squad by the government at the time for his opposition to the Spanish colonization, and so I think looking back to the historic significance of how firing squads are used, I think it’s really a turn back for Utah,” Emilio Camu said.

Others say they’re okay with it depending on the heinousness of the convict’s crime.

“If it was really terrible crimes against children, I have no problem with that because you basically took away something that you can never give back,” Jalda Hobbs said.

Gov. Herbert is expected to make a decision on the firing squad bill later this week. Right now, Utah has eight inmates on death row and no lethal-injection drugs.