Stricter penalties for crimes vs disabled people sought

MANILA, Philippines - A Metro Manila lawmaker has filed a bill that seeks to increase penalties for crimes committed against people with disabilities. In a statement on Saturday, Valenzuela City Rep. Rex Gatchalian said House Bill 3396 aims to ensure the protection of people who cannot defend themselves from criminals due to their physical or mental incapacity. Gatchalian's bill inserts Section 47, Increasing the Penalties for Crimes Committed Against Persons With Disability, to Republic Act 7277 known as the Magna Carta For Disabled Persons. The provision states that any person who commits any crime against a person with disability, which is punishable under the Revised Penal Code or any other special law, shall suffer the penalty one degree higher than what is prescribed by the law. "For example, someone has robbed a blind or a crippled person and the person who did the crime was convicted and was penalized by prision correctional (six months imprisonment to six years), it shall become prision mayor, (six to twelve years imprisonment)," Gatchalian explained. In filing the bill, Gatchalian noted that despite RA 7277, which was enacted for people with disabilities and the amendatory provisions granting additional privileges provided by the government, the spate of crimes being committed against disabled people continues. Gatchalian sought the immediate approval of his proposed measure, saying this will serve as a warning to criminals who vent their ire on to hapless people with disabilities. - Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV