Stiffer anti-carnapping law includes life imprisonment

A proposed law seeking to impose stiffer penalties on carnappers awaits the signature of outgoing President Benigno Aquino III.

House Bill 4544, which was ratified by Congress, seeks to repeal Republic Act 6539 or the “Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972″ to impose additional years of imprisonment on carnappers and carjackers.

Under the bill, a person found guilty of carnapping is penalized with 20 to 30 years of imprisonment. The current law only imposes 14 to 17 years and four months imprisonment.

When the crime is committed without violence, the carnapper will be imprisoned for 30 to 40 years. If there is violence, the person is penalized with life imprisonment.

The bill also considers carnapping a non-bailable offense especially if evidence of guilt is strong.

The bill also imposes a six to 12 years imprisonment on persons who participate in the concealment of the crime.

Public officials and government employees guilty of carnapping also face dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from public office.

The bill also requires those asking for the original registration of a vehicle to apply for clearance from the Philippine National Police and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The proposed measure also mandates the LTO to keep a permanent registry of motor vehicle, motor vehicle engines, engine blocks and chassis of all motor vehicles stating the type, make, serial numbers as well as the the names and addresses of the vehicle’s present and previous owners.

Tampering of serial numbers and transfer of vehicle plates without approval from the LTO will also be considered a criminal act under the proposed measure.

The law also penalizes the sale of secondhand spare parts obtained from a carnapped vehicle. Identity transfer of parts of a vehicle declared a total wreck will also be a violation. RAM/rga

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