Police Systems in the Philippines

Honeylene A. Villegas

 

Colonial Origins

Formal policing structures started in the country during the Spanish colonization era, with the introduction of Guardia Civil via a Royal Decree in 1852. The present system, however, is clearly established also with American influence since the United States of America won the Spanish-American War in 1898. This another era of oppression resulted in the founding of guerrillas – Philippine field army constituting the resistance force during that pressing time.

 

By 1899, the Philippine Revolutionary Army was born, later renamed as the Philippine Republican Army, with both local and defected foreign troops joining the ranks. Recruitments and conscriptions also happened during the Philippine-American War. The group later became the Philippine Constabulary (PC) in 1901, which was the insular police force under American regime, combining the approaches and gears of an army with police rules. This core body had been the foundation of armed and police forces that were formed after the World War II and achieving independence from U.S. in 1946 – maintaining the peace and order and dealing with security threats.

 

Police controls were also involved in quashing the oppositions, battling communist uprising (i.e. conflicts about land tenure involving the execution of political and economic powers in favor of the elite classes before), addressing the Muslim autonomy predicaments and implementing Martial Law during the Marcos regime (1972 to 1986). In 1975, Presidential Decree No. 765 was proclaimed inaugurating the Philippine Constabulary Integrated National Police or the PC/INP as the national police force.

 

People Power

A few years after the EDSA Revolution, the PC was transformed into Philippine National Police (PNP), which is “national in scope and civilian in character.” Thus, Republic Act (RA) 6975 entitled, “An Act Establishing the PNP under a Reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),” was signed into law in 1990 in accordance with the newly promulgated 1987 Constitution of the Republic of The Philippines. The PNP was operational in 1991 whose members were once part of the PC and the INP and the “absorption of the selected members [were] from the major service units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines such as the Philippine Air Force Security Command, the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Army.”

 

Philippine Army - the main, oldest and the largest branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines responsible for ground warfare.

 

Army Vision

By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride.

 

Army Core Purpose

Serving the People. Securing the Land.

 

Philippine Air Force - the aerial warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

 

Mission

To organize, train, equip, maintain and provide forces in order to conduct prompt and sustained air operations to accomplish the AFP mission.

 

Vision

A professional and competent Air Force responsive to national security and development.

 

Functions

 

1.      Organize, train and equip forces for prompt and sustained air operations for the defense of the Philippines;

2.      Organize, train and equip forces for airlift, airborne and tactical air operations unilaterally or in coordination with surface forces;

3.      Formulate and develop doctrines, concepts, systems, policies, procedures, strategies, tactics and techniques for operations peculiar to the Air Force;

4.      Organize, train and equip all Air Force reserve units; and

5.      Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by higher authority.

 

Philippine Coast Guard

Mandates

The Philippine Coast Guard is mandated and responsible to perform maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, marine environmental protection and maritime security.

 

Vision

By 2028, PCG is a world class guardian of the sea committed to save lives, ensure safe maritime transport, cleaner seas, and secure maritime jurisdiction.

 

Mission

We are a uniformed armed service that implements and enforces all national and international maritime safety, security, search and rescue, and marine environmental protection laws in support of the integrated Maritime Transportation Network objectives, national security and economic development of the Philippines.

 

Philippine Navy - the naval warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Philippine Marine Corps is under its command – a naval infantry force.

 

Amended mandates were introduced soon after, namely: RA 8551 “PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998" and further modified by RA 9708. See more details below extracted from the official PNP website:

 

Philosophy

Service, Honor and Justice

 

Core Values

Ø  Maka-Diyos  (Pro-God)

Ø  Makabayan  (Pro-Country)

Ø  Makatao  (Pro-People)

Ø  Makakalikasan (Pro-Environment)

 

Vision

Imploring the aid of the Almighty, by 2030, we shall be a highly capable, effective and credible police service working in partnership with a responsive community towards the attainment of a safer place to live, work and do business.

 

Mission

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

 

Functions

1.      Law Enforcement.

2.      Maintain peace and order.

3.      Prevents and investigates crimes and bring offenders to justice.

4.      Exercise the vested powers from the Philippine Constitution and pertinent laws.

5.      Detain an arrested person for a period not beyond what is prescribed by law.

6.      Implements pertinent laws and regulations on firearms and explosives control.

7.      Supervise and control the training and operations of security agencies.

 

As stated in Article XVI, Section 6 under General Provisions of the 1987 Constitution, “The State shall establish and maintain one police force, which shall be national in scope and civilian in character, to be administered and controlled by a national police commission. The authority of local executives over the police units in their jurisdiction shall be provided by law.”

 

Moreover, the PNP, “under the administrative control and operational supervision of the National Police Commission,” is linked with other law enforcement organizations such as the “National Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, Philippine Center for Transnational Crimes, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, International Enforcement Community thru the INTERPOL, with the head of the PCTC as the Secretariat, and the Chief PNP as the Chief of the National Central Bureau and a member of the ASEAN Chiefs of Police or ASEANPOL, and a partner of the United Nations Center for International Crime Prevention (UNCICP), 23 National Support Units (See reference site at the end of this write-up),

From the above statements, we can say that our policing systems keep evolving to suit the needs of the Filipino people and to adapt to our current situations fit until a foreseeable future. It is up to the authorities (from national as well as international echelons down to barangay levels) to properly implement and observe the compliance to laws and regulations and to all citizens to follow them conscientiously, otherwise, crimes, chaos, abuse, corruption and wrongful politicization will prevail in our territories.

 

References:

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/

 

http://www.pnp.gov.ph/

 

https://www.army.mil.ph/

 

https://www.paf.mil.ph/

 

Politics and Policing in the Philippines: Challenges to Police Reform

Glenn Varona

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/81291374.pdf

 

 

Job hunt is over, but...

Ang hirap maghanap ng trabaho kasi madaming available jobs, madami akong gusto pero di pasok sa pangangailangan ko. I used different apps to look for jobs related to what I finished in college which is BSA. Andyan yung Jobstreet, Kalibr, Jora, Facebook, LinkedIn and Career Sites of certain companies. I am a Certified Public Accountant as well so iniisip ko na madali makahanap ng work. Another edge for me eh yung galing ako ng SGV & Co. or Ernst & Young, Philippines!

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Financial Literacy

“Success in life depends upon on previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.”— Confucius.

According to a study, there are only 10% Filipinos who are financially free, 10% who are financially independent and 80% who live below the poverty line. From this we can already picture out that many Filipinos are facing difficulty in managing their lives. In order to lessen the number of people who are below the poverty line, different government and non-government institutions seek ways to help them.

Good employment opportunities, savings and investments are tools in making one’s standard of living better. These are life securities designed to protect the financial well-being of an individual. As people become rich, they also become afraid of losing their lives and properties because of dangers and hazards. Their worries can be mitigated by entering in insurance contracts, their protection against future losses after prepayments to the insurance company. People need to manage their resources well and experts are available to help them.

There are three people’s behaviors on money: (1) INCOME minus EXPENSE equals SAVINGS, (2) EXPENSE minus INCOME equals DEBT, and (3) INCOME minus SAVINGS equals EXPENSE. One should not be a spendthrift or someone who is recklessly wasteful. The ideal behavior of people on money is the third one because out of the income, you deduct your savings and the remaining balance will be allocated to your expenses. With this in mind, a person can plan his/her necessary expenses after maximizing the needed savings from one’s hard-earned income. 

At the age of 20 or earlier, a person is already getting started in handling his/her day-to-day expenses; he/she also starts saving money. Ages 27 to 30 are certain periods of having a family and preparing a budget for the entire household. People can start investing their money on worthy investment schemes once their budget allows it and by the age of 40-60 years old, they can have sources of funds in case of emergency situations and retirement. The last phase is when somebody dies or the leaving legacy, wherein assets and properties are transferred to the immediate family.

The key ingredients in building your fortune are time, money, energy and discipline. With the efficient and effective utilization of money, you can have more. But if you do not use the money well, you will have a bad future ahead of you. Plan for your expenses and list your priorities, be it in education, health, travel or food. Try putting your savings in a bank to earn interest, or investing in stocks or bonds to earn income, or establishing a business. These things will not only make you financially stable, but also will make you a catalyst of change for the improvement of the economy.

My Sister's Speech during the Recognition Day

My heartfelt greetings to all of my fellow Ateneans! This is indeed a celebration! I have never been so excited to share some thoughts to a lot of people.

First of all, I would like to thank God for giving me life – a life that I can share to the people I love. Lord, I know that the struggles we face are just indications of our very own capacity to solve them in the most efficient and effective manner.

To my family, friends and to all the supporters of my co-awardees, I thank you for always showing your warmest care and love. There will come a time that we can repay all the sacrifices you do just to make sure that we are safe and refined individuals.

To our mentors, faculty staff and school administrators, my deepest gratitude to all of you for being instruments of change and advocates of excellent education. You serve as inspiration to us all. Please continue to guide us so that we may not be able to enter the path of doom. Thank you so much!

Excellence is a habit. It is not a mere act observed for just a couple times. It should be demonstrated in our everyday living. It is a continuous process. We may find something extra-ordinary, but as times pass by, new things of greater worth emerge for our eyes to see or utilize.

Neither have we settled for less nor for mediocrity. The world is so vast and dynamic to remain ordinary at the middle of unique possibilities. Be proactive! Become leaders of your own lives. It is never been too late to reveal your true self to the entire universe – not for a sheer entertainment but for a grander purpose. Remember that you were not born to follow the trend – yes you may do so – but be ready to make innovations by yourself or with the help of others.

Neither have we settled for what is already present. We are the advance forms of Earth creations. We are the hope of restoring balance and social justice to the world. Let us all cooperate in striving for brilliance that is, quality in everything we do. Don’t be stagnant water, but rather a flowing current of crystal-clear water. We can make a transformation, even just a simple one because once all of these simple changes are combined; we can see a massive sphere of human revolution to betterment. If you have something worthwhile to say, do not hesitate to speak for our own welfare. Stop being lazy and use your talents and skills for very satisfactory human progression and environmental protection.

Overcome your fears and become the fear-remover of others. You have strengths – improve them; you have weaknesses – try to make them disappear; threats? – Oh, c’mon! You are definitely bigger and wiser than them! Exceed your known limits and you will discover that there are more things you can accomplish. Reach your full potential and accept varying degree of opportunities for your self-development and self-actualization. Just do not forget to put God at the center of your lives. Have faith in God that all things happening to you are according to His divine plan.

Lastly, I challenge every one of you to take a step ahead and make this world a better place to live in for the next generations to come.

AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM!

Sarah Geronimo in "Salute" birthday concert performance

Do your best – OSA

This is your added chance. Do your best if not better than last year.

Thus said Office of Student Affairs’ (OSA) Program Officer for Student Development and Student Organizations’ Formation and Training Trish Penelope B. Araña who shoved student organizations’ competencies in the pursuit of their respective goals this A/Y 2013-2014.

As early as 13 March, the OSA already sent letters to the organizations about their office tenure status at Xavier Hall. Last 1 April, a ceremonial was conducted at the Instructional Media Center where the OSA had awarded the top performing organizations with their office spaces.

And on 1 May, the awardees were already allowed to occupy their headquarters. The OSA also gave the organizations the privilege to acquire their very own bulletin boards.

Ousted, Transferred, Remained
Basing on the requirements given and the activities conducted last academic year, the OSA made the final list of student organizations which will be granted with workplaces.

The instance was related also to Student Organizations Awards and Recognition Night 2013 last 25 February where the nominees were screened through a pointing system, probing all the reports, evaluations, school performance, activities and completed requirements submitted by the organizations.

The results, unfortunately, made Progressive Organization of English and Literature Majors, Ateneo Nursing Students’ Association, Association of Psychology Students of Ateneo and Pathways for Higher Education Youth Group (PYG) vacate the premises of Xavier Hall.

However, Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyong Pilipino, which had just returned the favor for last year’s room sharing with PYG, adopted the latter.

“Nasabihan na naman namin sila during the start of the school year about our pointing system and the rewards or consequences base dun sa mga gagawin nila for the entire year, kaya feeling ko naman nauunawaan nila ‘yung sitwasyon,” said Araña.

“Yung medyo naging problema lang ‘yung ‘di agad pag-evacuate ng ANSA kasi ‘yung president nila eh ‘di pumupunta sa office kaya dumulog na lang kami sa department nila tapos sila na lang doon ‘yung kinausap, added Araña.

“Good luck! Do your jobs well. Conduct more high-quality activities and participate sa events na ginagawa ng OSA. Sa mga natanggalan ng office, may chance pa naman kayo this school year,” advised Araña.
Meanwhile, Ateneo Nature Crusaders, Economic Society and Junior Philippine institute of Accountants replaced the ejected organizations in Xavier Hall.

According to Araña, even if they want all the organizations to have their own offices, they cannot do so due to inadequate room areas. Moreover, OSA requested the current occupants if they can adopt one organization which will share with their office.

“Nasa plano naming i-require ang mga orgs na 3-in-1 na sa office pero ang dating kasi ‘nun eh ‘di na s’ya privilege for the top performing orgs kaya ngayon, we are asking the PPA [Property and Plant Administration] to construct a Conference Room sa Xavier na pwedeng magamit ng mga organizations, halimbawa kung mag-memeeting sila,” revealed Araña.

She also said that they are soliciting the help of Parent-Teacher Association to donate LCDs and other useful equipment that the students can exclusively utilize for their respective organizations.

When asked whether having an office is a factor being considered by students applying for organizations, Araña uttered that it is a ‘personal choice’.

“Kaya naman we are inviting all the students to participate in the Student Organizations' Festival on 8-12 July. It would be a great experience for them, something they can’t encounter sa classrooms nila,” ended Araña.

Here is the list of organizations with offices at Xavier Hall:

Ateneo Catechetical Instruction League (ACIL)
Ateneo EAGLES for Environment, Inc.
Ateneo Literary Association (ALA)
Ateneo Nature Crusaders
Ateneo Paradigm Éclat Xircle (APEX)
Ateneo Sarong Bangui Junior Eagles (ASBJE)
Ateneo Young Entrepreneurs (AYE)
Days with the Lord-Women (DWTL-W)
Economic Society (ECOSOC)
Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA)
Media Studies Society (MSS)
Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyong Pilipino
Uswag Ateneo Junior Eagles