POLICE ORGANIZATION

Evolution of the Philippine Policing Service

History

The common history of the police forces of the Philippines can be traced back to the reigns
of the pre-Hispanic lakans, datus and sultans in the islands, where soldiers who served in the
communities where the people lived (and which reported directly to local leaders) also enforced
local laws. All changed with the arrival of the Spanish rule and the introduction of Western law to
the archipelago. Until 1868, personnel of the Spanish army and local militias were also tasked with
policing duties in local communities, together with the Island Carabiniers (raised 1768 and the
colony's first ever police service). In that year, the local branch of the Civil Guard was officially
established by order of then Governor-General Carlos María de la Torre y Nava Cerrada. Starting
from a single division, during the Revolutionary period it grew into a corps of military police with
detachments in Luzon and the Visayas, and was notorious for its abuses against Filipinos. (These
abuses were mentioned in José Rizal's two novels, Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo, both
writing about several cases of Civil Guardsmen abusing the local populace.)

With the beginning of American rule and the Philippine–American War, the Philippine
Constabulary (PC) was raised in 1901 as a national gendarmerie force for law enforcement,
directly reporting to the American government. At the same time, what is now the Manila Police
District came into existence as the Philippines' first city police force. Later police forces began to
model the US departments.

The PC was later integrated into the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the late
1930s - first as a command of the Army, and later on its own after the State Police folded. (The
PC's personnel would later be fighting on both sides in the Second World War.)

Passed on December 13, 1990, Republic Act No. 6975, the Department of the Interior and
Local Government Act of 1990, ordered the merger of both the Philippine Constabulary and the
Integrated National Police and formally created the Philippine National Police. R.A. 6975 was
further amended by R.A. 8551, the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of
1998, and by R.A. 9708. The R.A. 8551 envisioned the PNP to be a community- and service-
oriented agency.

Police functions originated from human society of family life to the most developed trend of
family group like states and nations.

In the Philippines, Negrito tribes, Tagbanuas and other clans have their own family rules and
regulations, which are to be followed by every member composing the clans.

Date back to the early 15th century; rulers on the Philippines were called Sultan, Gat, Datu,
Rajah or Hare. They have their own way of protecting lives and properties of their own people; they
were not united, although their police functions and organizations differ in many forms from our
present police system. Yet their primary purposes are the same.

During the Spanish regime, peace and order in a pueblo or community is maintained by the
Cuadrillos, Carabineros, and Guardia Civil. There were times they were called Cuerpo de
Vigilancia, when abolished become Civil Veterana. But they are known more as Spanish Guardia
Civil. Thereafter, the Spaniards decide to recruit the services of selected Indios who are trained as
local Guardia Civil.
 When the Americans took over from the Spaniards, American Scouts controlled the peace
and order in every town and city within the island of the Philippines. Later, they recruited and
trained groups of Filipinos to maintain peace and order in a given community.

On January 9, 1901, the Manila Police Department was organized with Col. Matthew
Harmon (1901-1903) as its first Chief of Police. Though some Criminology books read that on July
31, 1901, Act No. 183 was passed creating the Metropolitan Police District where Capt. George
Eastman Currey was appointed as its first chief and its quite confusing to note the different
personalities involved in the history of Philippine policing.

But as far as Capt. George Eastman Currey is concerned, he was then the adjutant of the
Philippine Constabulary when it was created on August 8, 1901 and Capt. Henry T. Allen of the US
Regular Army was its Chief by virtue of Act No. 175. The Philippine Constabulary (INSULAR
POLICE) was organized that served as the TERRITORIAL FORCE for maintenance of peace and
order.

After the Japanese occupation and after the Philippines obtained its independence from
Americans, the Philippine Constabulary was created by operation of law as one of the services of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Main task - to maintain the internal peace and security of the nation.

Local police at this time is separate from the Philippine Constabulary. Their genesis was
based on Section 2275, Book III, Title IX of the Revised Administrative Code of the Philippines
approved on March 20,1917, which provided for the creation of policemen in any city or
municipality thru the approval of the governor if the town is infested with: (a) outlaws (b)
lawbreakers; and (c) suspicious-looking personalities.

No services of military are allowed for this purpose, and the nature of service is voluntary.
No proper compensation was given to the police volunteer appointed by the mayor that is why the
Congress passed Republic Act 541 to improve the police service and administration. This law is
known as the Police Pension Law, but later said law was proved to be defective that contributed
more problems and conflict in the policing system.

On September 08, 1966, Republic Act 4864 better known as the Police Act of 1966 was
passed and approved by Congress with the end in view of professionalizing police service, which
serves as the code of all local police departments in the country, some of its pertinent provisions
read:

Sec. 2. Purpose- It is hereby declared to be the policy and purpose of this Act to achieve
and attain a high degree of efficiency with the end in view that peace and order may be maintained
more effectively and the laws enforced with more impartiality. It is also the object of this Act to
place the local police service on a professional level.

One of the most significant provisions of RA 4864 is Section 7 which specifically define the duties
of peace officers expressly provide that:

Sec. 7. Duties of Peace Officers- All members of the police agency shall be PEACE
OFFICERS. It shall be their duty to preserve peace and order; prevent the commission of crimes;
protect life, liberty and property and arrest all violators of laws and ordinances within their
jurisdiction. They shall exercise the general powers to make arrest, searches and seizures IN
ACCORDANCE WITH LAW. They shall detain an arrested person only within the period prescribed
by law.
By virtue of these provisions, the local police agencies were expressly granted the authority in law
as PEACE OFFICERS so lawfully exercise general police powers limited within their respective
jurisdiction. On September 21, 1972, PROCLAMATION 1081 was declared and Martial Law was
imposed throughout the country.

Subsequently, several Presidential Decrees were issued amending and modifying RA No. 4864 to
suit the needs of those who are close to the Palace. On March 21, 1974, Presidential Decree No.
421 was issued modifying and /or repealing certain pertinent provisions of the Revised
Administrative Code, further amending RA No. 4864,the provisions of the city charter of Manila,
Quezon, Caloocan, and Pasay, as well as all existing laws, rules and regulations governing the
police force in the country.

By express mandate of PD 421, the Metropolitan Police Force (MPF) was formed and created
whose officers and men are regular members of the Philippine Constabulary. The four cities and
thirteen municipalities comprising Greater Manila Area (GMA) were placed under exclusive military
and police authority of the MPF.

On June 13, 1974, PD No. 482 was issued, the principal purpose of which (purportedly) is to
bolster the entire police agencies in the country (2nd, 3rd and 4th paragraphs, PD No. 482). As
distinguished from PD 421, PD 482 specifically lodged to the Philippine Constabulary THE
POWERS OF DIRECT CONTROL, DIRECTION AND SUPERVISION over the provincial police
forces. Several PDs were subsequently issued complementing, modifying and/or amending other
existing PDs.

During the Martial law era, Sec. 12, Art. XV of the 1973 Constitution provides, “The State shall
establish and maintain an Integrated National Police whose Organization, administration, and
operation shall be provided by law.”

On August 8, 1875, Presidential Decree No. 765 was issued establishing and constituting the
Integrated National Police (INP). Section 1 of the aforesaid Presidential Decree provides;

Section 1.- Constitution of the Integrated National Police- There is hereby established and
constituted the Integrated National Police which shall be composed of the Philippine Constabulary
as the NUCLEUS and the Integrated National Police Forces established under the Department of
National Defense.

The head of the INP was the DG, who at the same time the Chief of the Constabulary, thereby the
PC remained and continued as a major branch of service of the AFP.

The powers and functions of the NAPOLCOM in the training, the establishment Of integrated
communication system, grant of salary subsidy, adjudication & grant Of compensation for disability
benefits were transferred to the INP.

The word composed as provided in that provision of the law makes the Philippine Constabulary a
cohesive part of the INP. It became the central point of authority, even as it remained as one of the
major services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Section 5, PD 765)

The issuance of PD 765 somehow finds constitutional sanction under Section 9, Article XIV
of the 1935 Constitution, which expressly provides:

Section 9- The government shall organize and maintain as national Police Force to preserve
the public and order and enforce the law.”
The constitutional duty of the INP under the 1935 Constitution is merely to preserve public order
and enforce the law. To DEFEND and PROTECT the people were not included thereto as
distinguished from the 1987 Constitution.

After the dictatorship was overthrown by the EDSA revolution, Congress of the Philippines
acknowledged and recognized that unless the police be released from military influence and
indoctrination, the constitutional provisions that “CIVILIAN AUTHORITY IS, AT ALL TIMES
SUPREME OVER THE MILITARY”(Section 2,Article II,1987 Constitution)will be nothing but an
empty piece of legislation.

B.POLICE ORGANIZATION UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO.6975, THE IMPLEMENTING LAW OF

SECTION 6, ARTICLE XVI OF THE 1986 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

Thus, on December 13, 1990, the President of the Republic signed into law Republic Act 6975
creating the Philippine National Police (PNP). Incidental thereto, dissolving the Philippine
Constabulary whose officers and rank and file were given the privilege either to join the AFP or the
PNP within the period as provided therein. The Act was known as “An Act Establishing the
Philippine National Police under a Reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government
and for Other Purposes” which became effective on January 1, 1991.

On 29 January 1991, at Camp Crame, Quezon City, the Philippine Constabulary and the Integrated
National Police were retired and the PNP was activated in its place.

the PNP vision was created which goes, "We are committed to the vision of professional, dynamic
and highly motivated PNP, supported by a responsive community, regarded as one of the most
credible national institutions and ranked among the best in Asia"

THE PNP VISION AND FUNCTIONS

The PNP Vision statement defines a desired future state to which all the resources of the police
organization are directed. In such vision, the important elements are:

The presence of professional, dynamic motivated PNP personnel;

The presence of resources;

The collaborative partnership with stakeholders from the community; and

The presence of a responsive, empowered and engaged citizenry who proactively take part in the
fight against criminality to ensure a stable and peaceful community.

The Mission statement of the PNP defines their mandates, which are to enforce the law, to prevent
and control crimes, to maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety and internal security with
the active support of the community.

Powers and Functions (mandated by Republic Act 6975):

Maintain peace and order and takes all necessary steps to ensure public safety

Investigates and prevents crimes, effect the arrest of criminal offenders, bring offenders to justice
and assists in their prosecution;

Exercise the general powers to make arrest, search and seizure in accordance with the
Constitution and pertinent laws;
Detain an arrested person for a period not beyond what is prescribed by law, informing the person
so detained of all his rights under the Constitution;

Issues licenses for the possession of firearms and explosives in accordance with law;

Supervise and controls the training and operation of security agencies and issue licenses to
operate security agencies, and to security guards and private detectives for the practice of their
professions; and

Additionally, the PNP has also absorbed all the functions of the Philippine Air Force Security
Command (PAFSECOM), as well as the functions of the Philippine Coast Guard.

REORGANIZATION PLAN OF THE PNP

Legal Basis

Section 13 of RA 8551, otherwise known as the “PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of
1998” mandates the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) shall conduct a management audit
and prepare and submit to Congress a proposed reorganization plan of the PNP not later than
December 31,1998 subject to the limitations provided under this Act and based on the following
criteria:

A. Increased police visibility through dispersal of personnel from the headquarters to the field
offices and by the appointment and assignment of non-uniformed personnel to positions which are
purely:

Administrative

Technical

Clerical or menial in nature; and

Other position, which are not actually and directly related to police operations

B. Efficient and optimized delivery of police services to the communities.

The primordial purpose of RA 8551 is to lay framework within which continuous innovation,
renewal and rebirth of the PNP organization can occur in order to more effectively and efficiently
accomplish its goals. The reorganization essentially provides the framework or mechanism for
keeping the organization pliable (yielding to constant renewal and change) and viable (striving
toward goal accomplishment).

Republic Act No. 8551 (Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998)

- the PNP was envisioned to be a community and service oriented Agency. As mandated
by law, the PNP activated/created the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) on a national scope
on June 1, 1999. It is an organization within the structure of the PNP and one of its tasks
is to help the Chief, PNP institute reforms to improve the image of the police force
through assessment, analysis and evaluation of the character and behavior of the PNP
Personnel. It is headed by the Inspector General.

Our Vision: The Men and Women of the PNP are committed to a vision of a professional, dynamic
and highly motivated Philippine National Police working in partnership with a responsive
community towards the attainment of a safe place to live, work, invest and do business with.
MAJOR THRUST AND STRATEGIC POINTS

Attainment of high police visibility (Sec. 13, RA8551)

Improvement of frontline services

Advancement of community and service orientation (Sec. 2 and 13, id)

Projection of civilian orientation and values (sec. 6, Art XVI, Phil Constitution, Sec. 2 )

Promotion of accountability and uprightness in the police exercise of discretion (Sec. 2, id)

Achievement of cost-effectiveness

Improvement of individual competence and behavioral discipline (Sec. 37, RA 6975)

As a foundation for the attainment of the foregoing strategic thrust, the following areas of concern
have been considered:

The development of a more efficient and effective organizational structure;

The necessity and relationships of different organizational subdivisions and units to resolve the
question of decongestion, the elimination and/or reduction of overlaps and duplication of functions,
and the need for more efficient allocation of resources; and

Rationalization of systems and procedures

Republic Act 9708

An Act Extending for Five (5) Years the Period of Complying Minimum Educational
Qualification for Appointment to the PNP and Adjusting Promotion System amending RA 6975 and
RA 8551.

List of Chiefs of the Philippine National Police

No. Name Term

1 Cesar P. Nazareno March 31, 1991 – August 28, 1992

2 Raul S. Imperial August 28, 1992 – May 6, 1993

3 Umberto A. Rodriguez May 6, 1993 – July 8, 1994

4 Recaredo A. Sarmiento II July 8, 1994 – December 15, 1997

5 Santiago L. Alino December 15, 1997 – July 1998

6 Roberto T. Lastimoso July 1998 – 1999

7 Edmundo L Larroza 1999 – November 16, 1999

8 Panfilo M Lacson November 16, 1999 – January 2001

9 Leandro Mendoza March 16, 2001 - July 2002

10 Hemogenes E Ebdane Jr. July 2002 – August 23, 2004

11 Edgar B Aglipay August 23, 2004 – March 14, 2005

12 Arturo Lomibao March 14, 2005 – August 29, 2006

13 Oscar C Calderon August 29, 2006 – October 1, 2007

14 Avelino I. Razon Jr. October 1, 2007 – September 27, 2008

15 Jesus A Verzosa September 27, 2008 – September 14, 2010

16 Raul Bacalzo September 14, 2010 – September 9, 2011

17 Nicanor Bartolome September 9, 2011 – December 17, 2012

18 Alan Purisima December 17, 2012 – February 5, 2015

19 Leonardo Espina (OIC) February 5, 2015 – July 16, 2015

20 Ricardo C Marquez July 16, 2015 – June 30, 2016

21 Ronald M Dela Rosa July 1, 2016 – present

THE PNP RANK CLASSIFICATIONS:

The PNP also has a significant feature in line of its rank classifications. It adopts a different
structure for purposes of attaining a more efficient administration, supervision, and control as
compared to the Armed Forces.

These distinct considerations serve as bases for comparison between the ranks of the PNP and
ranks of AFP as presented in the table.

PNP Ranks AFP Ranks

Police Commissioned Officers Commissioned Office

Director General General

Deputy Director General Lieutenant General

Director Major General

Chief Superintendent Brigadier General

Senior Superintendent Colonel

Superintendent Lieutenant Colonel

Chief Inspector Major

Senior Inspector Captain

Inspector 1st and 2nd Lieutenant

Police Non-Commissioned Officers Non-Commissioned Officers

Senior Police Officer IV Master Sergeant

Senior Police Officer III Technical Sergeant

Senior Police Officer II Staff Sergeant

Senior Police Officer I Sergeant

Police Officer III Corporal

Police Officer II Private First Class

Police Officer I Private

CODE-P: 2013 and Beyond - -the PNP blueprint towards the realization of the PNP
P.A.T.R.O.L. Plan 2030 in order to effectively meet its goals of better serving and protecting
the public

enhancing the Competence of each and every police officer

• redefining and reforming the Organization

• instilling Discipline

• realizing Excellence

• instituting Professionalism at all levels of the organization

STRATEGIC FOCUS 1: COMPETENCE

- upgrading and enhancing the competence (Knowledge, Skills and Attitude) of the police
from basic to mandatory and specialized courses shall be a continuous process before they
pursue their own field of expertise.
- Strategic objectives to improve crime solution efficiency, to solve more crimes, arrest more
criminals and ensure higher conviction rate of cases in courts :
• Intensify Policy Reform
• Review and pursue legislative agenda
• Improve the Field Training Program (FTP) with emphasis on Field Training Exercise
(Patrol, Traffic and First Responder)
• Standardize Specialized Courses for Operational Support Staff/Units/Teams
• Improvement of existing NUP courses and development of competency courses for NUP
• Enhance operational procedures and practices

STRATEGIC FOCUS 2: ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Establish an organizational set-up that has the most efficient management team and support staff

Current PNP structure is made up of an intricate web of multiple tasks and functions

• The organization shall be principally guided by its mandate of solving more crimes and arrest
more criminals

• The need to streamline functions, systems and processes

• Realignment of organizational structures from a culture of military-type policing to a more defined

role of solving crimes

Organizational development can be achieved through the following strategic objectives:

• Streamline the organization

• Implement “My IP is the Key” at all levels nationwide

 • Standardize recruitment, selection and placement of police personnel

• Instill leadership down to the lowest level to communicate and implement change

• Complement organizational development through efficient resource management

STRATEGIC FOCUS 3: DISCIPLINE (Commitment to Duty, Law and Order)

In order to inspire commitment to duty, law and

order, the following strategic objectives shall be

undertaken:

STRATEGIC FOCUS 3: DISCIPLINE

(Commitment to Duty, Law and Order)

• Establishment of mechanisms to determine the level of discipline of PNP personnel

• Institutionalize reforms and mechanisms to fast track the resolution of admin cases against erring
PNP personnel

• Enhance Counter-Intelligence efforts against erring PNP personnel

STRATEGIC FOCUS 4: EXCELLENCE

The PNP has to deal with complex crimes that have become more organized, sophisticated and
transnational.

To achieve excellence in policing, a paradigm shift from traditional to scientific and ICT-assisted
investigation of crimes and police operations shall be adopted:

Integrate and revitalize TXT 2920 “Subukan N’yo Po Kami” SMS Centers

Establish an effective feedback mechanism as the basis for evaluation and assessment on the
performance of the field units

Fully-adopt ICT-assisted based systems to support administrative functions, investigation and

police operations

Redesign the PNP uniforms and institute safeguards against unauthorized manufacture and use

Enhance the Quality Service Lanes (QSLs) through International Standard Operation (ISO)
certification.

STRATEGIC FOCUS 5: PROFESSIONALISM

The Police Officer must be professional – competent, disciplined, and an excellent public servant.

The PNP shall continue to educate its personnel to develop professionalism at all levels.

Top management leaders and Chiefs of Police must be able to orient and steer the organization
towards a culture of excellence and professionalism:

• Standardize Placement and Promotion System based on merit and fitness, at all levels

• Develop various levels of expert professionals in the organization

 • Rationalize Rewards and Incentives System and Enhance Morale and Welfare Program

• Continuously review and update police operational procedures and other policy manuals

• Improve internal and external communications through proactive media program

INTERPOL

- the largest international police organization in the world, with National Central Bureaus in
190 member countries.
- Headquarters located in Lyon, France
- Composed of the following:
General Assembly
Executive Committee
General Secretariat
National Central Bureaus
Advisers
The Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files

Four official language of Interpol

Arabic
English
French
Spanish

Interpol notice or international notice is issued by Interpol to share information

between its members.

Red Notice - To seek the arrest or provisional arrest of wanted persons with a
view to extradition.

Black -To seek information on unidentified bodies.

Yellow Notice - To help locate missing persons, often minors, or to help

identify persons who are unable to identify themselves.

Blue Notice - To collect additional information about a person’s identity or

activities in relation to a crime.

Green Notice - To provide warnings and criminal intelligence about persons

who have committed criminal offenses and are likely to repeat these crimes in other
countries

Orange Notice - To warn police, public entities and other international

organizations about potential threats from disguised weapons, parcel bombs and
other dangerous materials.

Purple Notice – To provide information on modus operandi, procedures,

objects, devices or hiding places used by criminals.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (IACP) - world's oldest and

largest nonprofit membership organization of police executives.
PATROL stands for "Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and upholding of the Rule-
Of- Law"

The PNP's PHILOSOPHY is framed by "service, honor and justice", and the PNP CORE VALUES
are: "makaDiyos, makabayan, makatao and makakalikasan."

Four (4) strategic perspectives of the PNP Strategy Map

Resource Management

Learning and Growth

Process Excellence

Community

Stages of the PGS

Initiation

Compliance

Proficiency

Institutionalization