Republic Act No. 1084, approved on June 15, 1954, amends Section 267 of the Revised Penal Code regarding kidnapping and serious illegal detention. The law stipulates severe penalties, ranging from reclusion perpetua to death, for individuals who kidnap or detain others, particularly if the act lasts more than five days, involves public authority simulation, results in serious injuries, or targets minors, females, or public officers. Moreover, the death penalty applies if the kidnapping aims to extort ransom, regardless of other circumstances. The Act emphasizes the seriousness of such offenses and aims to deter potential criminals.
June 15, 1954
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1084
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SEVEN OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE
SECTION 1. Section two hundred and sixty-seven of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by section two of Republic Act Numbered Eighteen, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 267. Kidnapping and serious illegal detention. — Any private individual who shall kidnap or detain another, or in any other manner deprive him of his liberty, shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua to death;
"1. If the kidnapping or detention shall have lasted more than five days.
"2. If it shall have been committed simulating public authority.
"3. If any serious physical injuries shall have been inflicted upon the person kidnapped or detained; or if threats to kill him shall have been made.
"4. If the person kidnapped or detained shall be a minor, female or a public officer.
"The penalty shall be death where the kidnapping or detention was committed for the purpose of extorting ransom from the victim or any other person, even if none of the circumstances above mentioned were present in the commission of the offense." cdt
SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: June 15, 1954
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 50, No. 7, p. 2977 in July 1954