P.D.

1613 Amending the law on Arson

Arson Defined
A i t d o p b m o f o p m.
Corpus Delicti Rule
Arson is the destruction of property by means of fire or
pyrotechnic materials.

In arson, the corpus delicti rule is generally satisfied by proof of

the bare occurrence of the fire and of its having been
intentionally caused .Even if the whole house has not been
completely gutted by the fire the crime is still consummated
arson.
Corpus Delicti
Corpus Delicti.
The body or substance of the crime.
Elements of Arson
Sec. 3(2)
The elements of arson are:
(1) That there is intentional burning; and
(2) That what is intentionally is an inhabited house or
dwelling.
A person guilty of arson
P.D. 1613 pronounces as guilty of arson any person who
deliberately burns another persons property, wherever located.
Destructive Arson
The circumstance that the property burned is located in an
urban, congested or populated area qualifies the offense and
converts it into destructive arson punishable under Sec. 2(7) y
reclusion temporal in its maximum period to reclusion
perpetua.
On the other hand, under Sec. 4(4), the circumstances that the
perpetrator of the arson is a criminal syndicate serves as a
special aggravating circumstance.