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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
(~\d"r ,If H!~' :~'rn'htl'~ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
"15 
fTB 10 P2:13 
SEN~t40 
S.No.~_~_ 
r: :: : l\: 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROHIBIT THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, OR POSSESSION OF ENHANCED BODY 
ARMOR BY CIVILIANS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2 provides: 
SEC. 4. The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the 
people .... 
SEC. 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection oflife, liberty, 
and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the 
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy. 
In the Philippines, military-grade or enhanced body armor is increasingly being used by 
criminals to commit robberies and other crimes, and in gun battles with the police. Military-
grade body armor emboldens criminals to commit crimes and attack civilians, as the armor 
protects them from law enforcement ammunitions. 
This bill will prohibit the purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by 
civilians; and ensure that only law enforcement, firefighters, and other public officers authorized 
by the State will have access to enhance body armor in carrying out their duties . 
. ~\. 4\N-~~)~ 
MIRIAM DEF~SOR SANTIPlO-
11' 
1 
Y. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF TIlE REPUBLIC 
) 
r I( 
<,~ 
,'" 
U?:;l'H "I !1~r '-"~on rt!lfy 
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OF TI-IE PllILlPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
FEB lOP 2 :13 
SENATE 
S. No. 
2640 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines In 
Congress Assembled: 
AN ACT 
2 
TO PROHII3IT TI-IE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, OR POSSESSION OF ENHANCED BODY 
3 
ARMOR BY CIVILIANS 
4 
SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the "Responsible Body Armor 
5 
Possession Act." 
6 
SECTION 2. 
D~/initiol1. -
The term "enhanced body armor" means body armor, 
7 
including a helmet or shield, the ballistic resistance of which meets or exceeds the ballistic 
8 
performance of military-grade armor, determined using standards specified by the Secretary of 
9 
National Defense. 
10 
SECTION 3. Ban on Purchase, Ownership, or Possession of Enhanced Body Armor by 
II 
Civilians; E,ception. - (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for any 
12 
person to purchase, own, or possess enhanced body armor. 
13 
(b) 
Subsection (a) shall not apply to purchase, ownership, or possession by or under 
14 
the authority of the Philippine government, or any department, agency, or political subdivision of 
15 
thc Philippine government. 
16 
(c) 
Body armor that was lawfully possessed by any civilian prior to the eiTectivity of 
17 
this Act shall be turned over to the Department of National Defense pursuant to guidelines issued 
18 
by the Secretary of National Defense. 


• 
SECTION 4. Penalties. - Whoever violates this Act shall be fined not less than Twenty 
2 
Thousand Pesos (!J20,000.00) but notmorc than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PI 00,000.00),01' 
3 
imprisoned I(lr not less than Jive (5) but not morc than ten (10) years, 01' both. 
4 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -
Within sixty (60) days from 
5 
effectivity of this Act, and aner public consultations, the Secretary of National Defense shall 
6 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
7 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision, 01' part hereof, is held invalid or 
8 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
9 
valid and subsisting. 
10 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
II 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
12 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
13 
SECTION 8. t,/eclivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
14 
in at least two (2) ncwspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Ijab 
2