General CommentNo.6 in relation to the rightto life guaranteed underArticle 6 of the International Covenant onCivil and Political Rights, issued on 30 April 1982 states, amongothers, that "1. The right to life enunciatedin article 6 of the Covenant has beendealt within all State reports. It is the supreme right from which no derogation is permitted even in time of public emergency which threatensthe life of the nation (art. 4). However, the Committee has noted that quite often the information given concerning article 6 is limited only to one or other aspect of this right. It is a right which should not be interpreted narrowly.” "3. The protection against arbitrary deprivation of life whichis explicitly required by the third sentenceofarticle 6(1) is of paramount importance. The Committee considers that States parties should take measures not only to prevent and punish deprivation of life by criminal acts, but also to prevent arbitrary killing by their own security forces. The deprivationoflife by the authorities of the State is a matterof the utmostgravity. Therefore, the law muststrictly control andlimit the circumstances in which a person may be deprivedofhis life by such authorities." The Philippines recently acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. As such,the Philippines has not only affirmed but has bounditself to perpetually abolish the death penalty and uphold therightto life. The Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPRstates that: "1. No one within the jurisdiction of a State Party to the present Protocol shall be executed. 2. Each State Party shall take all necessary measures to abolishthe death penalty withinitsjurisdiction." Pursuantto the international law principle of pacta sunt servanda, States are required to observe treaties it has entered into in good faith. In line with this, the SupremeCourt ruled that "treaties do indeed limit orrestrict sovereigntyof a State. By their voluntaryacts, States may surrender someaspectsof their powerin exchange for greater benefits granted by or derived from a convention or pact. Underthe rule of pacta sunt servanda, a State is bound to make such modificationsin its laws as may be necessary to ensurethe fulfilmentof the obligations undertaken underthe treaty."" The fundamental mantleof protectionoftherightto life of every inhabitant of the countryis guaranteed underthe 1987 Constitution of the Philippines,thus: Article II, Section 11 provides that: "The State values the dignity ofevery humanperson and guaranteesfull respectfor humanrights." Article II], Section 11 providesthat: "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protectionof the law." " Tafiada vs. Angara, 272 SCRA 18. 46