A PROPOSED law seeking to impose life imprisonment against bank robbers has been filed at the House of Representatives.

Misamis Oriental Rep. Loreto Leo Ocampos filed House Bill (HB) No. 3914 to increase the prison sentence of bank robbers to life imprisonment regardless of the amount of money involved.

“Bank robbery affects the country economically. It is a clear form of economic sabotage that needs to be curbed. The bill will also prevent bank robbers from posting bail using the money they have taken from the bank,” said Ocampos.

The proposal seeking to amend Republic Act (RA) No. 3815 or the Revised Penal Code will be known as the Bank Robbery Act of 2010.

Ocampos said bank robberies pose a threat not only to the economy but also to the stability of banking institutions.

“The crime claims the lives of innocent people in several incidents because a bank robbery is often done with violence, where its every act is committed at gunpoint,” said Ocampos.

Life imprisonment will also be slapped against criminal elements involved in robbing vehicles of banks or financial institutions.