Law Summary
Robbery with Physical Injuries in Uninhabited Places or Perpetrated by a Band
- Robbery offenses committed in uninhabited places, by a band, or by ambushing persons in trains, vehicles, vessels, or compartments incur the maximum penalty of the prescribed punishments.
- Leaders of such criminal groups bear the penalty one degree higher than others involved.
Definition of a Band and Enhanced Penalties
- A robbery committed by more than three armed individuals is considered committed by a band.
- Use of unlicensed firearms by any member escalates penalties to the maximum level for all involved.
- Members present during the robbery are liable as principals for assaults committed by the band, except if they prove efforts to prevent the assaults.
Brigandage: Formation, Definition, and Penalties
- A band of more than three armed persons committing highway robbery or kidnapping for extortion or ransom are legally deemed brigands.
- Convicted brigands face imprisonment from prision mayor (medium period) to reclusion temporal (minimum period), unless a higher penalty applies.
- Presence of unlicensed firearms raises the presumption of brigandage and mandates imposition of penalties at the maximum period upon conviction.
Effectivity of the Act
- The amendments introduced by this Act became effective upon its approval on September 5, 1946.