PNP favors amending penal code

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police supports the Department of Justice’s review of the Revised Penal Code that takes into account the latest technological advances and would do away with the prescription period for crimes.

PNP Director General Raul M. Bacalzo cited the Vizconde massacre as a reason for amending certain provisions of the code, particularly the 20-year period within which crimes punishable by life imprisonment may be prosecuted.

The DoJ has only until June 30 to complete its reinvestigation of the Vizconde massacre after those who were convicted, Hubert Webb and six others, were set free by the Supreme Court. The murder of three members of the Vizconde family occurred in June 1991.

“For me, this is a wake-up call for us to have a new criminal law which is now being initiated by [Justice] Secretary Leila de Lima. This was also President Aquino’s idea when he was still a senator,” Bacalzo said.

He also pointed out that when the Penal Code was enacted in 1932, there were no cellular phones and Internet that have spawned a whole new classification of cyber crimes.