Bill seeks to declare 'stalking' as criminal offense

MANILA, Philippines -  Stalking or repeatedly following, harassing and committing disallowed contact against another person or family may be declared as a criminal offense.

 

Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero authored House Bill 5064 or the "Anti-Stalking Act of the Philippines" to uphold the right of people to be secured.

 

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"These legal rights are violated by stalking, which is an act described as harassing, bothering, frightening and otherwise interfering with the private lives of people," the lawmaker said.

 

Escudero cited the provision on the Civil Code of the Philippines to respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace of mind of an individual.

 

The bill also defined stalking as invasion of privacy, intriguing a person to cause alienation from his friends, vexing or humiliating on account of religious beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth, physical defect and other personal conditions.

 

A stalking victim will have the right to ask for the court to order for the accused to refrain from doing such acts.

 

The proposed measure provides that a person convicted of the crime of stalking will be punished by prision correccional or a fine of not more than P500,000 or both.

 

If proven guilty, the person convicted of stalking will be required to undergo medical, psychological or psychiatric examination and treatment.