TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-3 ?4 59
SENATE
S. No. 94
IV. Cl,.. . V..
Introduced by SENATOR MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING AN ALERT SYSTEM FOR ABDUCTED OR MISSING PERSONS IN
THE PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the Philippines, kidnapping is considered a heinous crime punishable by 
reclusion perpetua to death—the highest penalty imposed for a crime under the 
Revised Penal Code. Despite this, from January 2024 to February 2025 alone, the 
Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group recorded a total of 40 kidnapping 
cases.1
The AMBER Alert System is an early warning system developed in the United 
States to help find abducted children. Named after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who 
was kidnapped and murdered, the system provides the public with immediate 
information about a missing child via media broadcasts on television, radio, and 
wireless devices, enabling community involvement in the search. As of 2024, the 
program has contributed to the recovery of 1,268 children in the United States.
The recent resurgence of kidnap-for-ransom cases in the Philippines highlights 
a need to adopt a rapid and coordinated response to kidnapping cases. Thus, inspired 
by AMBER Alerts from the United States, an Abducted or Missing Persons Alert (AMPA) 
System will be established to disseminate information in cases of kidnappings or 
abductions quickly. By encouraging public participation in tracing the whereabouts of
1 GMA Integrated News, PNP: 40 kidnapping cases recorded since January 2024 available at 
https://www.qmanetwork.eom/news/topstories/nation/937350/pnD-40-kidnappinq-cases-recorded-
since-ianuarv-2024/story/.


missing persons and in identifying the perpetrators, these heinous acts can be 
prevented.
For this purpose, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-3 P 4 -59
SENATE
S. No. 94
Rl:Cs-> ■ stj JV;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING AN ALERT SYSTEM FOR ABDUCTED OR MISSING PERSONS IN
THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Abducted or Missing
2 
Persons Alert (AMPA) System Act'.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a declared policy of the State to recognize
4 
that kidnapping and serious illegal detention are heinous crimes that must be
5 
prevented, if not, minimized, in order to pursue the maintenance of peace and order,
6 
the protection of life and liberty, and the promotion of the general welfare of the
7 
people. Towards this end, the State shall protect all persons from abductions or
8 
kidnappings by providing a rapid response mechanism that disseminates information
9 
to the public that encourages their participation in the search for the victim and
10 
perpetrator.
11 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
12 
be defined as follows:
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(a) Abducted or Missing Persons Alert (AMPA) System or the "Systerrf refers to
14 
the system that alerts the public regarding a missing or abducted person;
15 
(b) Reporting Agencies refer to any law enforcement agency, broadcasting
16 
agency, social platform, or other entity designated by the Department of the
17 
Interior and Local Government (DILG) to receive reports of missing or abducted
18 
persons; and


1 
(c) Alert Coordinator refers to the person designated by the DILG to facilitate
2 
System activations and coordinate with Reporting Agencies.
3 
Sec 4. The Philippine AMPA System. - The Philippine AMPA System shall be
4 
established and maintained by the DILG in cooperation with Reporting Agencies. The
5 
System shall be designed to quickly disseminate information about the abduction or
6 
disappearance of a person who is at risk of death or serious injury.
7 
The System shall be activated and an alert issued by the Alert Coordinator after
8 
the following conditions have been met:
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(a) There is a reasonable belief that a person has disappeared or has been
10 
abducted;
11 
(b) There is danger of serious harm or death;
12 
(c) There is sufficient descriptive information of the victim or his or her
13 
abductor; and
14 
(c) There is sufficient information available to disseminate to the public that
15 
could assist in the recovery of the victim.
16 
Sec. 5. Implementation and Participation. - Reporting Agencies shall cooperate
17 
with the Alert Coordinator and other relevant authorities in the rapid dissemination of
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System Alerts to the public. Broadcasters and social media platforms shall, upon
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activation of a System Alert, immediately disseminate relevant information to assist in
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the recovery of the missing or kidnapped person.
21 
Sec. 6. Penalties. - Any person who knowingly and falsely activates a System
22 
Alert or who provides false information regarding the abduction or disappearance of
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a victim shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than two (2) years and not
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more than six (6) years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos
25 
(Php500,000.00) and not more than One million pesos (Phpl,000,000.00) at the
26 
discretion of the court.
27 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The necessary amount to fund the implementation
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and maintenance of the System shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of
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the year following the passage of this Act.
30 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional
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or invalid, such holding shall not affect other provisions not affected thereby.


1 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances,
2 
rules, and regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
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repealed or amended accordingly.
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Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
6 
circulation.
Approved,