Philippines President Arroyo makes a decision:

At Easter, President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, announced the commutation to life imprisonment of around 1,200 death sentences in the Philippines. The Catholic Church and anti-death penalty campaigners have enthusiastically hailed her decision, but there are concerns that victims’ relatives may seek revenge against the pardoned perpetrators.

Arroyo’s spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said her decision had “developed” from “contemplation and reflection on Christian values”. He added: “We understand the deep hurt inflicted upon the families of the victims of heinous crimes, but the president believes that learning to forgive without compromising criminal justice would be a good start for the nation to move on.”

Dante Jimenez, head of the Volunteers against Crime and Corruption, said relatives of some victims vowed to find ways “to have those who committed heinous crimes against their loved ones killed in prison”.

There are 1,200 inmates on death row in the country, including at least 11 terrorists linked to Al-Qaeda. Fr Roberto Olaguer, prison chaplain, said 100 inmates may have faced imminent execution, although there have been no executions since 2000. Many were sentenced for kidnapping, murder and drug trafficking.

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