Cell phone snatching bill hikes penalties

Sen. Richard Gordon said yesterday that the passage of the Anti – Cellphone Snatching Bill by the Senate last Monday is an important piece of legislation to protect people from cell phone and computer snatchers.

The Senate passed on third reading Committee Report No. 13, entitled “An Act Providing Stiffer Penalties for the Crime of Theft and Robbery of Portable Telecommunication Devices.”

“Our cellular phones and our personal computers are important tools we carry around every day. Vital, private, and even confidential information are stored in these devices. With this bill, we seek to discourage or eliminate altogether the high incidence of thievery of portable mobile devices. We hope to restore confidence and enhance personal safety of our people while punishing the snatchers and thieves,” Gordon added.

The senator said the law imposes a penalty one degree higher than those prescribed by the Revised Penal Code for the crimes of Robbery and Theft when the object stolen is a portable telecommunications device. Cellphones, digital assistants, laptops, portable radios, and other portable telecommunication devices are covered by the bill.
Under the approved bill, any cell phone theft resulting in death shall be punishable by life imprisonment.

“With this bill, we hope to trump the snatchers and increase personal security, Gordon said.