Section 48Sec./Art. 48

Prohibited Acts. - To the extent that the offense is not punishable by a higher punishment under another provision of law, violations of this Act may be made by whoever intentionally:

(a)Destroys, demolishes, mutilates or damages any world heritage site, national cultural treasures, important cultural property and archaeological and anthropological sites;

(b)Modifies, alters, or destroys the original features of or undertakes construction or real estate development in any national shrine, monument, landmark and other historic edifices and structures, declared, classified, and marked by the National Historical Institute as such, without the prior written permission from the Commission. This includes the designated security or buffer zone, extending five (5) meters from the visible perimeter of the monument or site;

(c)Explores, excavates or undertakes diggings for the purpose of obtaining materials of cultural historical value without prior written authority from the National Museum. No excavation or diggings shall be permitted without the supervision of a certified archaeologist;

(d)Appropriates excavation finds contrary to the provisions of the New Civil Code and other pertinent laws;

(e)Imports, sells, distributes, procures, acquires, or exports cultural property stolen, or otherwise lost against the will of the lawful owner;

(f)Illicitly exports cultural property listed in the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property or those that may be categorized as such upon visitation or incorrectly declares the same during transit; and

(g)Deals in cultural property without proper registration and license issued by the cultural agency concerned.