People Vs. Lol-lo and Saraw 43 Phil. 19 (1922)

6

Piracy

People Vs. Lol-lo and Saraw

43 Phil. 19 (1922)

Facts:

            Lol-lo and Saraw together with other twenty-two Moros all were armed took all of the cargo on the Dutch boat and attacked some of the men, and brutally violated two of the women.  The pirates also take the two women with them, and repeatedly violating them. The Moro Pirates arrived at Maruro, a Dutch possession.  At Maruro the two women were able to escape.

Issue:

            Whether or not, piracy committed outside in the Philippine territory is within the jurisdiction of the Philippine courts.

Held:

            Yes.

Ratio:

Pirates are in law hostes humani generis. Piracy is a crime not against any particular state but against all mankind. It may be punished in the competent tribunal of any country where the offender may be found or into which he may be carried. The jurisdiction of piracy unlike all other crimes has no territorial limits. As it is against all so may it be punished by all.

 By: G-one T. Paisones