Section 14Sec./Art. 14

Penalties. -

(a) The penalty of life imprisonment and a fine five times the value of the agricultural and fishery products subject of the crime shall be imposed on a person who commits any of the acts enumerated under Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 of this Act, except Sections &(g) and (i), which shall be penalized under subparagraphs (c) and (d) of this section.

(b) The penalty of life imprisonment shall be imposed on any violation under Section 11 of this Act.

(c) The penalty of imprisonment of not less than twenty (20) years but not more than thirty (30) years and a fine thrice the value of the agricultural and fishery products subject of the crime shall be imposed on the following:

(1) The registered owner and its lessee or charterer, in case of lease of a chartered boat or motorized commercial vessel, who transports the agricultural and fishery products subject of the crime;

(2) The registered owner and its lessee, in case of lease, of trucks, vans, and other means of transportation, who transports agricultural and fishery products subject of the crime;

(3) The registered owner and lessee of a warehouse, cold storage, facility, or any property, who stores the agricultural and fishery products subject to the crime; or

(4) The registered owner, lessee, president, or chief executive officer of the private port, fish port, fish landing site, resort, or airport who allows the entry of agricultural and fishery products subject of the crime within their facilities.

(d) The penalty of imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than four (4) years shall be imposed on drivers, warehouse men, truck helpers, clerks, or similar personnel who knowingly participated in the commission of the crime.

(e) Notwithstanding the penalties on government employees in subparagraph (f) of this section, every officer, agent, or employee of any member of the Enforcement Group who shall be found guilty of committing any of the acts described in Section 13 of this Act shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than twelve (12) years, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office, exercising the right to vote, and participating in any public election, and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).

All the benefits due from service in the government, including the separation and retirement benefits of the officer, agent, or employee found guilty of the foregoing violations shall likewise be forfeited.

(f) If a government officer or employee commits any of the crimes as economic sabotage, knowingly abets or aids in the commission of the crime, prevents the filing of a case or its prosecution, prevents the actual arrest of the suspect, or commits any of the corrupt practices under Section 3 of Republic Act No. 3019 or the "Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act", for the purpose of facilitating a agricultural economic sabotage, the penalty shall be as provided in subparagraph (a) of this section; the additional penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, exercising the right to vote, and participating in any public election and forfeiture of employment monetary and financial benefits.

Direct, pecuniary or material benefit is not necessary to prove that a government officer or employee has knowingly aided and abetted the commission of the crime:

Provided, That when the offender is a juridical person, criminal liability shall attach to its president, chief operating officer, manager, or any officer who participated in the decision that led to the commission of the prohibited act:

Provided, further, That the agricultural and fishery products subject of the prohibited acts and the properties used to commit the crime of agricultural economic sabotage such as, but not limited to, vehicles, aircrafts, storage areas, warehouses, boxes, cases, trunks, and other containers of whatever character used as receptacle of agricultural and fishery products, shall be confiscated in favor of the government, subject to Section 19 of this Act:

Provided, finally, That the penalties imposed under this Act shall separate from any other penalties incurred under other existing laws.

CHAPTER VI

IMPLEMENTING RULES