The crime of light threats is a crime committed by a person who shall threaten another with the infliction upon the person, honor or property of the latter or of his family of any wrong NOT constituting a crime and there is a demand for money or condition imposed. On the other hand, other light threats consist of threatening another with a weapon or other harm not constituting a crime during a quarrel.
Light Threats is punishable under Article 283 of the Revised Penal Code
The elements of light threats pursuant to Article 283 of the Revised Penal Code are as follows:
- The offender makes a threat to commit a wrong.
- The wrong does not constitute a crime.
- There is a demand for money or that other condition is imposed, even though not unlawful
- The offender has attained his purpose or, that he has not attained his purpose
For example, if A threatens B that he will expose the infidelity of B unless B gives him P2,000, then such blackmail is considered as light threats. Although exposing the infidelity of someone is not a crime, the act of blackmailing in exchange for money or subject to a condition is tantamount to light threats.
The crime of light threats is punishable by arresto mayor or imprisonment within the range of 1 month and 1 day to 6 months.
As for other light threats, there are three forms of such crime as enunciated in Article 285 of the Revised Penal Code
There are three (3) kinds of other light threats as enunciated in Article 285 of the Revised Penal Code:
1. Threatening another with a weapon or draw such weapon in a quarrel, unless it be in lawful self-defense.
2. In the heat of anger, orally threatening another with some harm not constituting a crime, and who by subsequent acts show that he did not persist in the idea involved in his threat.
3. Orally threatening to do another any harm not constituting a felony.
The crime of other light threats is punishable with imprisonment of arresto menor in its minimum period or a range of 1 to 10 days or a fine not exceeding Forty Thousand Pesos (P40,000.00).
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