SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATF 
S. No. 
252'7 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
. i {I 
OEC 22 P 4 :09 
SECURlNG THE PHILIPPINE'S BORDERS TO MAKE MORE EFFECTIVE THE 
PROHIBITION AGAINST THE ENTRY OF ILLEGAL DRUGS INTO THE 
COUNTRY' 
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 rlemocraey, 
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 hurt or kill others. Drug use can strip users 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 
from entering the Philippines. 


SIXTEENTH CONGHFSS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILlPPTNES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
s, No_~~527 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
\' 
Be it enacted by the Senate and th(' House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
AN ACT 
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SECURTNG THE PHILIPPINE'S BORDERS TO MAKE MORE EFFECTTVE THE 
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PROHlBITION AGAINST THE ENTR Y OF ILLEGAL DRUGS TN TO THE 
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COUNTRY 
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SECTTON 1, Short Title, -- This Art shall be known as the "Drug-Free Borders 
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Act" 
SECTION 2, Tncreased Resources for Interdiction,--
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(A) Customs, 
[n addition to other amounts appropriated for the Bureau of 
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Customs [or a fiscal year, there is authorized to be appropriated Fifteen Million Pesos 
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(~15,OOO,OOO,OO) for each of the three (3) succeeding fiscal years following the passage 
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of this Act to be used to monitor border ports of entry to stop the flow of illegal drugs 
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into the Philippines, of which not less than 20 percent of such funds shall be sued to 
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provide assistance to local law enforcement entities, 
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(B) Coast Guard, ~ In addition 10 other amounts appropriated for the Philippine 
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Coast Guard for a fiscal year, there is authorized to be appropriated, Ten Million Pesos 
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(~lO,OOO,OOO,OO) for each of the three (3) succccding fiscal years following the passage 
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of this Act 10 be llsed to expand activities to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the 
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Philippines, 
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(C) Department Of National Defense, -- [n addition to other amounts appropriated 
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lor tbe Department of National Defense for a fiscal year, there is authorized to be 
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appropriated, Thirty Million Pesos (~30,OOO,OOO,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 
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f10w of illegal drugs into the Philippines. of which not less than 20 percent (20%) of such 
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funds shall be used to provide assistance to local law enforcement entities. 
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SECTION 3. Felony Punishment .lnr Violence Committed Along Philippine 
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Border. - Violence while eluding inspecl.ion or during vi.olation of arrival, reporting, 
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entry or clearance requirements-· . 
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(A) In General. - Whoever attempts to commit or commits a crime of violence 
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during and in relation to-
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(1) Attempting to elude or elude customs. immigration, or agriculture 
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inspection or failing to stop at the command of an officer of customs, 
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immigration or animal and plant and health inspection services; or 
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(2) An intentional violation of arrivaL reporting, entry, or clearance 
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requirements, as set forth in appropriate laws; 
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shall be filed under this Act or imprisoned for not more than five (5) years, or 
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both, except that if bodily injury results. the maximum term of imprisonment is ten (10) 
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years. and i r death results. the offendcr may be imprisoned for any term of years or for 
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life, in accordance with the pertinent provisions of the Penal Code and other special laws. 
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(B) Conspiracy. - If two (2) or more persons conspire to commit an offense under 
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subsection (A), am] 1 or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of Ihe 
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conspiracy, each shall be punishable as a principaL 
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SECTION 4. Border Patrol Pursuit Policy. - A Philippine Coast Guard may not 
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cease pursuit of an alien who the agent suspects has unlawfully entered the Philippines, 
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or an individual whom the agenl suspects has unlawfully imported a narcotic into the 
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Philippincs, until local law enforcement authorities are in pursuit of thc alien or 
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individual and have the alien or individual in their visual range. 
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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. -- If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
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or ullconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
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remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. 
A ny law. presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instrnction. administrative ordCL rule or regulation contrary to 
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or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. -- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
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its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Imamt 
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