ANTI-PIRACY
AND ANTI-
HIGHWAY
ROBBERY (P.D.
532)
HISTORY OF PIRACY IN THE
PHILIPPINES
16th century The Wokou pirates
Moro pirates known 1573
as Solo pirates, Composed of
Ships known as proa, Japanese, Chinese,
or garays, and Philippine
raiders
Crewmen of 50 to
Area of operation
100,
Northern Luzon
PURPOSE OF THE LAW;
WHEREAS, reports from law-enforcement
agencies reveal that lawless elements are still
committing acts of depredations upon the
persons and properties of innocent and
defenseless inhabitants who travel from one
place to another, thereby distributing the
peace, order and tranquility of the nation and
stunting the economic and social progress of
the people
PURPOSE OF THE LAW;
WHEREAS, such acts of depredations
constitute either piracy or highway
robbery/brigandage which are among the
highest forms of lawlessness condemned by
the penal statutes of all countries; and,
PURPOSE OF THE LAW;
WHEREAS, it is imperative that said lawless
elements be discouraged from perpetrating
such acts of depredations by imposing heavy
penalty on the offenders, with the end in view
of eliminating all obstacles to the economic,
social, educational and community progress of
the people
ANTI-PIRACY AND ANTI-
HIGHWAY ROBBERY LAW OF
1974 (PD NO.
Philippine Waters
532)
Vessel
Philippine Highway
Piracy
Highway Robbery/Brigandage
PIRACY
Any attack upon or seizure of any vessel, or the
taking away of the whole or part thereof or its cargo,
equipment, or the personal belongings of its
complement or passengers, irrespective of the value
thereof, by means of violence against or intimidation of
persons or force upon things, committed by any person,
including a passenger or member of the complement of
said vessel, in Philippine waters, shall be considered as
piracy. The offenders shall be considered as pirates and
punished as hereinafter provided.
PENALTIES
Piracy the penalty of reclusion temporal in its medium
and maximum periods shall be imposed.
The penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed if
physical injuries or other crime committed as a result or
on the occasion.
The mandatory penalty of death shall be imposed if
rape, murder or homicide is committed as a result or on
the occasion of piracy, or when the offenders
abandoned the victims without means of saving
themselves, or when the seizure is accomplished by
firing upon or boarding a vessel.
AIDING PIRATES OR HIGHWAY
ROBBERS/BRIGANDS OR ABETTING PIRACY OR
HIGHWAY ROBBERY/BRIGANDAGE
Aiding pirates or highway robbers/brigands or abetting piracy
or highway robbery/brigandage. Any person who knowingly
and in any manner aids or protects pirates or highway
robbers/brigands, such as giving them information about the
movement of police or other peace officers of the government,
or acquires or receives property taken by such pirates or
brigands or in any manner derives any benefit therefrom; or
any person who directly or indirectly abets the commission of
piracy or highway robbery or brigandage, shall be considered
as an accomplice of the principal offenders and be punished in
accordance with the Rules prescribed by the Revised Penal
Code.
HIGHWAY
ROBBERY/BRIGANDAGE
The seizure of any person for ransom,
extortion or other unlawful purposes, or the
taking away of the property of another by
means of violence against or intimidation of
person or force upon things of other unlawful
means, committed by any person on any
Philippine Highway.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PIRACY UNDER
PD NO. 532 AND PIRACY UNDER RPC
PD 532 Piracy under RPC
Any person in case of attack Any person in case of attack
on or seizure of vessel on or seizure of vessel
It includes crew members Not a crew member or
and passenger passengers
Philippine waters only Philippine waters and the
Accomplices high seas
Accessories
