Highway Robbery

• PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 532


  August 8, 1974
• ANTI-PIRACY AND ANTI-HIGHWAY ROBBERY LAW OF 1974
• Lawless elements are committing acts of depredations upon the persons and properties of innocent and defenseless inhabitants, disturbing the peace, order, and tranquility of the nation, and stunting the economic and social progress of the people
• Acts of depredations constitute either piracy or highway robbery/brigandage, condemned by the penal statutes of all countries
• It is imperative to discourage lawless elements from perpetrating acts of depredations by imposing heavy penalties on offenders to eliminate obstacles to economic, social, educational, and community progress
• The Decree is known as the Anti-Piracy and Anti-Highway Robbery Law of 1974
• Definition of Terms

  1. Philippine Waters: All bodies of water, including seas, gulfs, bays, and more, connecting the Islands of the Philippine Archipelago

  2. Vessel: Any vessel or watercraft used for transport of passengers and cargo through Philippine Waters

  3. Philippine Highway: Any road, street, passage, highway, bridges, railway, or railroad within the Philippines used for movement or circulation of persons or transportation of goods

  4. Piracy: Any attack, seizure, or taking away of a vessel, its cargo, equipment, or personal belongings by means of violence, intimidation, or force in Philippine waters

  5. Highway Robbery/Brigandage: The seizure of any person for ransom, extortion, or other unlawful purposes, or the taking away of property by means of violence
• 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 or other unlawful means, committed by any person on any Philippine Highway is considered as Highway Robbery/Brigandage
• Piracy Penalties

  The penalty of reclusion temporal in its medium and maximum periods shall be imposed. If physical injuries or other crimes are committed as a result or on the occasion thereof, the penalty of reclusion perpetua 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, the mandatory penalty of death shall be imposed
• Highway Robbery/Brigandage Penalties

  The penalty of reclusion temporal in its minimum period shall be imposed. If physical injuries or other crimes are committed during or on the occasion of the commission of robbery or brigandage, the penalty of reclusion temporal in its medium and maximum periods shall be imposed. If kidnapping for ransom or extortion, or murder or homicide, or rape is committed as a result or on the occasion thereof, the penalty of death shall be imposed
• 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
• It shall be presumed that any person who does any of the acts provided in this Section has performed them knowingly, unless the contrary is proven