Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

FOUR OE REPRE ATES

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article 2, Section 5 provides:

‘The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and

Property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the

enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.

Our people are more concerned about illegal drugs and crimes associated with such
use than any other current social problem. Illegal drug use is harmful and wrong. Illegal drug
use can kill the individuals involved or cause the individuals to burt or kill others, and such
use strips the individuals of their moral sense and with it, everything in life that is important

and worthwhile.

‘The purpose of this bill is to reduce the supply of drugs by stopping illegal drugs form

joy

H. HARRY L, ROQUE JR.

entering the Philippines.”

* This bill was originally re-filed by Senator Miriam Defensor Santingo during the Sixteenth Congress, First
Regular Session.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. No.

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

AN ACT
SECURING THE PHILIPPINE’S BORDERS TO MAKE MORE EFFECTIVE THE
PROHIBITION AGAINST THE ENTRY OF ILLEGAL DRUGS INTO THE COUNTRY
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title, ~ This Act shall be known as the “Drug-Free Philippines

SECTION 2. Increased Resources for Interdiction. —

(A) Customs. — In addition to other amounts appropriated for the Bureau of
Customs for a fiscal year, there is authorized to be appropriated Fifteen Million Pesos
(P15,000,000.00) for each of the three (3) succeeding fiscal years following the passage of
this Act to be used to monitor border ports of entry to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the
Philippines, of which not less than 20 percent of such funds shall be sued to provide
assistance to local law enforcement entities.

(B) Coast Guard. — In addition to other amounts appropriated for the Philippine
Coast Guard for a fiscal year, there is authorized to be appropriated, Ten Million Pesos
(P10,000,000,00) for each of the three (3) succeeding fiscal years following the passage of

this Act to be used to expand activities to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the Philippines.


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(C) Department of National Defense. — \n addition to other amounts appropriated
for the Department of National Defense for a fiscal year, there is authorized to be
appropriated, Thirty Million Pesos (P30,000,000,00) for each of the three (3) succeeding
fiscal years following the passage of this Act to be used to expand activities to stop the flow
of illegal drugs into the Philippines, of which not less than 20 percent (20%) of such funds
shall be used to provide assistance to local law enforcement entities,

SECTION 3. Felony Punishment for Violence Committed Along Philippine Border, ~
Violence while eluding inspection or during violation of arrival, reporting, entry or clearance
requirements—

(A) In General. ~ Whoever attempts to commit or commits a crime of violence
during and in relation to—

(1) Attempting to elude or elude customs, immigration, or agriculture
inspection or failing to stop at the command of an officer of customs,
immigration or animal and plant and health inspection services, or

(2) An intentional violation of arrival, reporting, entry, or clearance
requirements, as set forth in appropriate laws,

shall be filed under this Act or imprisoned for not more than five (5) years, or both, except
that if bodily injury results, the maximum term of imprisonment is ten (10) years, and if death
results, the offender may be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, in accordance with
the pertinent provisions of the Revised Penal Code and other special laws.

(B) — Conspiracy. — If two (2) or more persons conspire to commit an offense under
subsection (A), and 1 or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the

conspiracy, each shall be punishable as a principal.


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SECTION 4. Border Patrol Pursuit Policy. ~ A Philippine Coast Guard may not
cease pursuit of an alien who the agent suspects has unlawfully entered the Philippines, or an
individual whom the agent suspects has unlawfully imported a narcotic into the Philippines,
until local law enforcement authorities are in pursuit of the alien or individual and have the

alien or individual in their visual range.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain

valid and subsisting.
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent

with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,