DISCUSSION 26

To continue, in addition to grave threats and light threats, there is also a

felony such as “Other light threats”, which is being penalized under Art.
285 of the RPC. How can this be committed? This is committed in three (3)
ways as follows:
(a) Threatening another with a weapon or drawing such weapon
during a quarrel, except in lawful self defense;
(b) Orally threatening another in the heat of anger with some harm
constituting a crime and who by subsequent acts shows that he
did not persist in the idea involved in his threat, provided that the
circumstances of the offense shall not bring it within the provision
of Art. 282 of the RPC; and
(c) Orally threatening another with any harm not constituting a
felony.

What are the examples of those kinds of “other light threats”

In letter a- A and B were into quarrel as they boxed each other. B
suddenly brought out a gun and pointed it to A, but without firing the gun.
In letter b- Mario was very mad at Jose because he saw Jose destroy the
fence of his house. Out of anger, Mario shouted at Jose “Pag hindi ka
umalis papatayin kita”. This threat constitutes “other light threat” because
Mario said those words out of anger.
In letter c- Gerry upon seeing that Melchor was not studying his lesson
threatened the latter that he is going to report him to his parents so that
his allowance will be cut off.
What is Grave coercion? This felony is punishable under Art. 286, which
has the following elements:
a) That a person be prevented by another from doing something not
prohibited by law, or compelled to do something against his will, be
it right or wrong;
b) That the prevention or compulsion be effected by violence, either
by material force or such a display of force as would produce
intimidation and control the will of the offended party,
c) That the person who restrained the will and liberty of another had
no right to do so.

We must understand that even if our objective is good, we have no right to

force or compel somebody to do something against his will. For example,
your brother, who was a college graduate, refused to look for a job. In
order for him to look for a job, you forced him by means of violence to look
for a job.

Paano kung yun tao ay may ginagawang masama like sinisira niya yun
halaman mo, pwede mo bang pilitin na tumigil siya sa kanyang ginagawa?
Yes, because at that time the person was committing a crime. You have
the right to stop him.

What is Light coercion? This felony is committed by any person, who by

means of violence, shall seize anything belonging to his debtor for the
purpose of applying the same to the payment of the debt. This is being
punished under Art. 287 of the Revised Penal Code.

Example: A extended loaned to B. B had no money to pay A. So that B can

pay his debt to A, A, against the will of B, took B’s appliances as payment
of his debt to A.