The provision
ARTICLE 287. Light coercions. -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, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in its minimum period and a fine equivalent to the value of the thing, but in no case less than 75 pesos. Any other coercions or unjust vexations shall be punished by arresto menor or a fine ranging from 5 to 200 pesos, or both.
Key points
Article 287 punishes light coercions. Its first paragraph penalizes a person who, by means of violence, seizes anything belonging to a debtor to apply it to the debt. Its second paragraph is the basis of unjust vexation: any other coercions or unjust vexations are punished by arresto menor or a fine, or both.
Unjust vexation is a catch-all for human conduct that, without violence, annoys, irritates, or vexes another without lawful justification; the gravamen is the disturbance of the offended party's peace of mind. The provision is frequently charged in interpersonal disputes and is read with the coercion and threat provisions of the same chapter.
Cases applying this article
- People v. Bernardo Reyes G.R. No. L-7712
- Renato Baleros, Jr v. People G.R. No. 138033
- Lee Donggeon v. People G.R. No. 237091
- Teddy Peña y Romero v. People G.R. No. 261807
- Carlo Mapilisan v. People G.R. No. 266597