Overview of the Agency

In this section


2007 ISSUE

The passage into law on December 13, 1990 of Republic Act No. 6975 entitled “An Act Establishing the Philippine National Police under a reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government and Other Purposes” ended the existence of the Philippine Constabulary and the Integrated National Police and gave way to the creation of the Philippine National Police, now known as the country's police force that is national in scope and civilian in character. It is administered and controlled by the National Police Commission.

With the affectivity of Republic Act No. 8551, otherwise known as the “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 is 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.

Our Mission

To enforce the law, to prevent and control crimes, to maintain peace and order, and to ensure public safety and internal security with the active support of the community.

Our Motto

WE SERVE AND PROTECT

Our Core Values

SERVICE HONOR JUSTICE

Police Officer's Pledge

I will love and serve GOD, my country and people;
I will uphold the Constitution and obey legal orders of the duly constituted authorities;
I will oblige myself to maintain a high standard of morality and professionalism;
I will respect the customs and traditions of the police service and
I will live a decent and virtuous life to serve as an example to others.

PNP Constitutional Basis:
Section 4, Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "... it is the policy of the State to promote peace and order, ensure public safety and further strengthen local government capability aimed towards the effective delivery of basic services for the citizenry through the establishment of a highly and competent police force that is national in scope and civilian in character".

Section 23, Chapter III, of Republic Act No. 6975, "An Act Establishing the Philippine National Police Under a Reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government", or otherwise known as, "The PNP Law".

Republic Act No. 8551, "An Act Providing for the Reform and Reorganization of the Philippine National Police and for other Purposes, amending Certain Provisions of RA No. 6975", or otherwise known as, "The PNP Reform Act of 1998".

Our Functions

  • Enforce all laws and ordinance relative to the protection of lives and properties;
  • Maintain peace and order and take all necessary steps to ensure public safety;
  • Investigate and prevent crimes, effect the arrest of criminal offenders, bring offenders to justice and assist 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;
  • Issue licenses for the possession of firearms and explosives in accordance with law;
  • Supervise and control the training and operations of security agencies and issue licenses to operate security agencies, and to security guards and private detectives for the practice of their professions; and
  • Perform such other duties and exercise all other functions as may be provided by law.

Classification of the Powers and Functions of the PNP:
1. Statutory Power of the Police, such as:

  1. To enforce the laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives and properties;
  2. To maintain peace and order and take all the necessary steps to ensure public safety;
  3. To investigate and prevent crime , effect the arrest of criminal offenders, bring offenders to justice and assist in their prosecution;
  4. To 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;
  5. To exercise the general powers to make arrest, search and seizure and pertinent laws.

2. Licensing, Supervisory and Control, and Training, such as:

  1. To issue licenses for the possession of firearms and explosives in accordance with law; and
  2. Supervise and control the training and operations of security agencies and issue license to operate security agencies, and to security guards and private detectives for the practice of their profession;
  3. To train students taking up their baccalaureate, vocational or technical courses in undergoing Law Enforcement Service Program in compliance of the National Service Law.

3. Deputized Statutory Power of the Police, that is, to perform such other duties and exercise all other functions as maybe provided by law:

  1. To enforce election laws during the conduct of election;
  2. To enforce laws involving agriculture, environment and natural resources;
  3. To enforce laws involving land transportation;
  4. Many other laws under the jurisdiction of various departments and/or offices of the government where the PNP will be deputized under the principle of intra-coordination between and among offices/departments of the governments.

Organization and Functions of the Operations and Administrative Support Unit of the PNP:

Pursuant to Section 35, of RA No. 6975, the Chief of the PNP shall be supported by the following administrative and operational units with each unit headed by a Director with the rank of Chief Superintendent.

(a) Administrative Support Units –

(1) Crime Laboratory. There shall be established a central Crime Laboratory to be headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, which shall provide scientific and technical investigative aid and support to the PNP and other government investigate agencies. It shall also provide crime laboratory examination, evaluation and identification of physical evidences involved in crimes with primary emphasis on their medical, chemical, biological and physical nature.There shall likewise be established regional and city crime laboratories as may be necessary in all regions and cities of the country.

(2) Logistic Unit. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Logistics unit shall be responsible for the procurement, distribution and management of all the logistical requirements of the PNP including firearms and ammunition.

(3) Communications Unit. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Communications Unit shall be responsible for establishing as effective police communications network.

(4) Computer Center. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Computer Center shall be responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of a database system for the PNP.

(5) Finance Center. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Finance Center shall be responsible for providing finance services to the PNP.

(6) Civil Security Unit. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Civil Security Unit shall provide administrative services and general supervision over the organization, business operation and activities of all organized private detectives, watchmen, security guard agencies and company guard forces. The unit shall likewise supervise the licensing and registration of firearms and explosives. The approval of applications for licenses to operate private security agencies, as well as the issuance of licenses to security guards and the licensing of firearms and explosives, shall be decentralized to the PNP regional offices.

b) Operational Support Units –

(1) Maritime Police Unit. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Maritime Police Unit shall perform all police functions over the Philippine territorial waters and rivers.

(2) Police Intelligence Unit. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Police Intelligence Unit shall serve as the intelligence and counterintelligence operating unit of the PNP.

(3) Police Security Unit. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Police Security Unit shall provide security for government officials, visiting dignitaries and private individuals authorized to be given protection.

(4) Criminal Investigation Unit. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Criminal Investigation Unit shall undertake the monitoring, investigation and prosecution of all crimes involving economic sabotage, and other crimes of such magnitude and extent as to indicate their commission by highly placed or professional criminal syndicates and organizations. This unit shall likewise investigate all major cases involving violations of Revised Penal Code and operate against organized crime groups, unless the President assigns the case exclusively to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

(5) Special Action Forces. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Special Action Forces shall function as a mobile strike force or reaction unit to augment regional, provincial, municipal and city police forces for civil disturbance control, counterinsurgency, hostage-taking rescue operations, and other special operations.

(6) Narcotics Unit. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Narcotics Unit shall enforce all laws relative to the protection of the citizenry against dangerous and other prohibited drugs and substances.

(7) Aviation Security Unit. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Aviation Security Unit, in coordination with airport authorities, shall secure al the country’s airports against offensive and terroristic acts that threaten civil aviation, exercise operational control and supervision over all agencies involved in airport security operation, and enforce all laws and regulations relative to air travel protection and safety.

(8) Traffic Management Unit. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Traffic Management Unit shall enforce traffic laws and regulations.
(9) Medical and Dental Centers. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Medical and Dental Centers shall be responsible for providing medical and dental services for the PNP.

(10) Civil Relations Unit. Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Civil Relations Unit shall implement plans and programs that will promote community and citizens’ participation in the maintenance of peace and order and public safety.

What are the duties of a Policeman?

A policeman shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

  1. He shall be ready at all times to perform his duties and obey the lawful orders of his superior officers or higher authority;
  2. He shall be responsible for the efficient performance of his duties and adequate coverage of his beat or post;
  3. He shall cooperate and coordinate with the other members of his relief, district or other division segments so that their teamwork may ensure continuity of purpose and maximum achievement of the objectives of the department;
  4. He shall be available for duty at all times in case of special needs or emergencies;
  5. He shall respond readily and report punctually to all assignments;
  6. He shall execute the service program within his area of responsibility providing for prevention of crime, protection of life and property, apprehension and prosecution of offenders, preservation of peace and enforcement of regulatory measures;
  7. He shall familiarize himself with administrative ad operational policies of the department;
  8. He shall be in prescribed attire and have the required equipment when reporting for duty;
  9. He shall be attentive to instruction and record information given during the briefing or roll-call training and shall likewise record his activities during his tour of duty;
  10. He shall supervise and inspect all public and licensed places within his area of responsibility.

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