Leo Echegaray
Leo Pilo Echegaray was the first Filipino to be meted the death penalty after its reinstatement in the Philippines in 1993, some 23 years after the last judicial execution was carried out. His death sparked national debate over the legality and morality of the death penalty, which was later suspended on 15 April 2006.Trial and execution
A house painter by trade, Echegaray was accused of the April 1994 rape of the 10-year-old daughter of his live in partner Rodessa. He was convicted by Branch 104 of the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City on 7 September 1994, with the death sentence automatically reviewed by the Supreme Court and affirmed on 25 June 1996. Echegaray filed a motion for appeal, which was denied on 19 January 1999.
Less than a month later, Echegaray was executed via lethal injection on 5 February 1999. Witnesses reported his last words to have been:
"Sámbayanáng Pilipino, patawarin ako sa kasalanang ipinaratang ninyo sa akin. Pilipino, pinatáy ng kapwa Pilipino."
