Anti-Piracy And Anti-Highway Robbery Law Of 1974

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of the Anti-Piracy and Anti-Highway Robbery Law of 1974

Definitions:
- Philippine Waters: All bodies of water around, between, and connecting the Philippine islands, including territorial sea, sea-bed, insular shelves, and other submarine areas under Philippine sovereignty or jurisdiction. (Section 2a)
- Vessel: Any watercraft used for transport of passengers and cargo through Philippine waters, including fishing boats. (Section 2b)
- Philippine Highway: Any road, street, passage, highway, bridge, railway, or railroad within the Philippines used for movement of persons or transportation of goods. (Section 2c)
- Piracy: Any attack upon or seizure of a vessel, or taking away of its cargo, equipment, or personal belongings, by means of violence, intimidation, or force, committed by any person in Philippine waters. (Section 2d)
- Highway Robbery/Brigandage: The seizure of any person for ransom, extortion, or other unlawful purposes, or taking away of another's property by means of violence, intimidation, or force, committed on any Philippine highway. (Section 2e)

Penalties:
- Piracy:
    - Reclusion temporal in its medium and maximum periods. (Section 3a)
    - If physical injuries or other crimes are committed, reclusion perpetua. (Section 3a)
    - If rape, murder, homicide, abandoning victims without means of saving themselves, or seizure by firing upon or boarding a vessel, mandatory death penalty. (Section 3a)
- Highway Robbery/Brigandage:
    - Reclusion temporal in its minimum period. (Section 3b)
    - If physical injuries or other crimes are committed, reclusion temporal in its medium and maximum periods. (Section 3b)
    - If kidnapping for ransom or extortion, murder, homicide, or rape is committed, death penalty. (Section 3b)

Aiding or Abetting:
- Any person who knowingly aids or protects pirates or highway robbers/brigands, such as providing information about police movements, acquiring or receiving stolen property, or deriving any benefit from the crime, shall be considered an accomplice and punished according to the Revised Penal Code. (Section 4)
- It shall be presumed that any person performing such acts has done so knowingly, unless proven otherwise. (Section 4)

Repealing Clause:
- Pertinent portions of Act No. 3815 (Revised Penal Code) and all laws, decrees, orders, or instructions inconsistent with this Decree are repealed or modified accordingly. (Section 5)