Law Summary
Definitions
- Philippine Waters: Includes seas, gulfs, bays, territorial seas, sea-bed, insular shelves within Philippine sovereignty or jurisdiction.
- Vessel: Any watercraft transporting passengers or cargo including fishing boats.
- Philippine Highway: Roads, streets, passages, highways, bridges, railways used for moving persons or goods.
- Piracy: Violent attack or seizure of vessels or their cargo, passengers, or crew in Philippine waters.
- Highway Robbery/Brigandage: Seizure or taking of persons or property by violence or intimidation on Philippine highways.
Penalties for Piracy
- General piracy: Medium to maximum reclusion temporal.
- Piracy with physical injuries or other crimes: Reclusion perpetua.
- Piracy causing rape, murder, homicide, abandonment without means of rescue, or seizure by force: Death penalty.
Penalties for Highway Robbery/Brigandage
- General offense: Minimum period of reclusion temporal.
- With physical injuries or other crimes: Medium to maximum reclusion temporal.
- If kidnapping for ransom, murder, homicide or rape results: Death penalty.
Liability for Aiding or Abetting
- Those who aid or protect pirates or highway robbers, provide information to them, or benefit from their crimes are accomplices.
- Presumption of knowledge in committing acts mentioned, unless proven otherwise.
- Punished under relevant provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
Repealing Clause
- Portions of the Revised Penal Code (Act No. 3815) and other inconsistent laws are repealed or modified.
Effectivity
- The Decree takes effect immediately upon approval.