Critical Analysis

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 533 August 8, 1974

THE ANTI-CATTLE RUSTLING LAW OF 1974

I. FULL TEXT OF P. D. NO. 533

WHEREAS, large cattle are indispensable to the livelihood and economic growth of our people, particularly the agricultural workers, because such large cattle are the work animals of our farmers and the source of fresh meat and dairy products for our people, and provide raw material for our tanning and canning industries;

WHEREAS, reports from the law-enforcement agencies reveal that there is a resurgence of thievery of large cattle, commonly known as "cattle rustling", especially in the rural areas, thereby directly prejudicing the livelihood of the agricultural workers and adversely affecting our food production program for self-sufficiency in rice, corn and other staple crops, as well as in fresh meat;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to protect large cattle raising industry and small time large cattle owners and raisers from the nefarious activities of lawless elements in order to encourage our hardworking cattle raisers and farmers to raise more cattle and concentrate in their agricultural works, thus increasing our source of meat and dairy products as well as agricultural production and allied industries which depend on the cattle raising industry;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and pursuant to Proclamations No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972 and No. 1104, dated January 17, 1973 and General Order No. 1 dated September 22, 1972, do hereby order and decree as part of the law of the land, the following:

Sec. 1. Title. This Decree shall be known as the "Anti-Cattle Rustling Law of 1974."

Sec. 2. Definition of terms. The following terms shall mean and be understood to be as herein defined:

a. Large cattle as herein used shall include the cow, carabao, horse, mule, ass, or other domesticated member of the bovine...