Irresistible force, A12(5) Revised Penal Code

Irresistible force – refers to the exempting circumstance that exempts an accused from criminal liability for committing an offense resulting from acting under the compulsion of irresistible force.

1. Concept

Irresistible force – refers to the exempting circumstance that exempts an accused from criminal liability for committing an offense resulting from acting under the compulsion of irresistible force.

a. Legal basis

Article 12. Circumstances which exempt from criminal liability. - the following are exempt from criminal liability:

5. Any person who act under the compulsion of irresistible force.

(Revised Penal Code)

b. Effects of exempting circumstances

1) Admission by the accused

An exempting circumstance, by its nature, admits that criminal and civil liabilities exist, but the accused is freed from criminal liability; in other words, the accused committed a crime, but he cannot be held criminally liable therefor because of an exemption granted by law. (Sierra v. People, G.R. No. 182941, July 3, 2009, Per Brion, J.)

Strictly speaking, a person acting under any of the exempting circumstances commits a crime but cannot be held criminally liable theref...