One of the primary roles of the government is to protect the nation and ensure the safety of its citizens. That’s why the Philippine government established an armed national police force to help prevent crimes and ensure peace and order. The Philippine National Government (PNP) has various operational units, from the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) and Intelligence Group (IG) to the Special Action Force (SAF) and PNP Air Unit (AU). If you want to learn more about this agency, read on as we share everything to know about PNP.
Like most security agencies, PNP works with other bureaus to deliver prompt and efficient services. As the primary law enforcement arm of the Philippines, the PNP supervises and coordinates with other units to prevent and resolve crimes, such as kidnapping, carnapping, cybercrime, economic sabotage, and traffic law violations. PNP also has units handling hostage-taking rescue operations and assistance during natural calamities or national emergencies. Thus, the PNP and its support units are vital to the country’s safety, peace, and order.
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What is the Philippine National Police
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is a government agency acting as the nation’s chief law enforcement arm. It’s an armed national police force controlled and supervised by the National Police Commission. PNP is responsible for preventing crimes, ensuring public safety, and maintaining peace and order throughout the Philippines.
In addition, the PNP exists as part of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and city mayors control the operations of local police officers. On the other hand, the DILG train and equip PNP personnel to ensure they carry out the functions and duties of the police force, which is vital to the nation and its people.
According to the Republic Act 6975 of 1990, the merger of the Integrated National Police and the Philippine Constabulary resulted in the formation of the PNP on January 29, 1991. Today, the PNP has around 228,00 police personnel to serve over 100 million population. The PNP national headquarters is at Camp Crame in Bagong Lipunan ng Crame, Quezon City.
History
Under the American regime, the Philippine Constabulary was established as an insular police force on August 8, 1901, the origin of the PNP. On August 8, 1975, the country’s national police force was established through Presidential Decree 765 or the Police Integration Law, resulting in the birth of the Philippine Constabulary Integrated National Police (PC/INP). When the People’s Revolution ended, the government launched a police force under a new Constitution that was national in scope and civilian in character.
Hence, the Republic Act 6975 was signed into law in December 1990. The law was entitled “An Act Establishing the Philippine National Police under a Re-organized Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),” effective January 1, 1991. Later on, the agency started its operations on January 29, 1991. PNP consists of former PC and INP personnel and selected members from Philippine Armed Forces service units, including the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine Air Force Security Command.
On February 17, 1998, congress enacted the Republic Act 8551, or the PNP Reform and the Re-organization Act of 1998, which strengthened the competence and efficiency of the PNP. It aims for the PNP to become a community and service-oriented organization. Furthermore, it established the Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police. On June 14, 2019, the agency replaced the Counter-Intelligence Task Force with the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group.
Organizational Structure
To effectively perform its mission, functions, and powers, the PNP has the following organizational structure:
1. The PNP Command Group
The Chief PNP has the authority to lead, order, and control the PNP Command Group. Also, the Chief PNP has two (2) Deputies who will assist in the administration and operations.
2. The Chief of the Directorial Staff
As the Chief Operations Officer, he manages, coordinates, and commands the Directorial Staff and PNP units in performing their functions.
3. The Internal Affairs Service (IAS)
The IAS is led by an Inspector General, helping the Chief PNP to ensure operational preparedness and probes the PNP members who violate regulations.
4. The Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO)
A senior police commissioned officer leads the HRAO, functioning as the facility manager who will supervise the policies and guidelines on human rights laws enactment.
5. The Center for Police Strategy Management (CPSM)
The CPSM acts as the PNP’s central facility, which integrates and coordinates all strategy management processes, bolsters its strategy management and execution, and instills a strategy-focused culture in the organization.
6. The Directorial Staff
Under PNP, there are 16 Directorates with varying functions and specializations, including:
- The Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) – improves the use of personnel resources of the uniformed and non-uniformed PNP personnel.
- The Directorate for Intelligence (DI) – manages the collection or gathering of intelligence objectives by effectively managing the PNP’s intelligence and counter-intelligence actions. The director also connects foreigners who wish to have official transactions with the Chief PNP.
- The Directorate for Operations (DO) – employs the command, control, direction, coordination, and management of all the PNP operational activities, like the employment and deployment of personnel.
- The Directorate for Logistics (DL) – execute and command material resources essential for the operations of PNP.
- The Directorate for Plans (DPL) – organizes and lays out the strategies for PNP operations. The director also acts as a PNP representative in inter-agency and international affairs for peace and order.
- The Directorate for Comptrollership (DC) – manages and controls the fiscal financial resources.
- The Directorate for Police-Community Relations (DPCR) – develops and executes community-related programs, projects, and activities. The director also oversees the PNP Salaam Police Center, which handles close monitoring, liaisoning, and networking within Muslim communities to address lawless violence and terrorism.
- The Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) – synchronizes, manages, and administers PNP investigation activities.
- The Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD) – creates policies regarding doctrine development and human resources matters.
- The Directorate for Research and Development (DRD) – is involved in research and development. The director also conducts testing and assessment of self-sustaining projects.
- The Directorate for Information and Communications Technology Management (DICTM) – incorporates and systematizes PNP information resources and systems to enhance frontline services.
- Five (5) Directorates for Integrated Police Operations (DIPOs)
PNP also has various directorates for DIPOs, including Eastern Mindanao, Western Mindanao, Visayas, Southern, and Northern Luzon. These directorates are responsible for controlling and managing the administration of counter-terrorism operations, internal security, and integrated anti-criminality. Also, these directorates promote inter-operability and regional socio-economic development.
7. PNP National Support Units
Apart from directorates, PNP has 23 National Support Units, including 11 administrative and 12 operational units.
Administrative Units
- Logistics Support Service (LSS)
- Information Technology Management Service (ITMS)
- Finance Service (FS)
- Health Service (HS)
- Communications and Electronics Service (CES)
- Chaplain Service (CHS)
- Legal Service (LS)
- Headquarters Support Service (HSS)
- Engineering Service (ES)
- Training Service (TS)
- PNP Retirement and Benefits Administration Service (PRBS)
Operational Support Units
Here are the following Operational Support Units of PNP and their specific functions:
- Maritime Group (MG) – is in charge of fulfilling all the functions of police throughout the Philippine Territories, including its waters, rivers, lakes, coastal areas, harbors, ports, and small islands. This group ensures the security and sustainable progress of the nation’s maritime environment.
- Intelligence Group (IG) – acts as PNP’s intelligence and counter-intelligence operating unit.
- Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) – provides security to government officials and vital installations. The PSPG also offers protection to private individuals and visiting dignitaries.
- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) – observe, probe, and prosecute crimes about economic sabotage and other relevant unlawful acts with such extent and magnitude. CIDG also has jurisdiction over organized crimes and all major cases violating the revised penal Code, including Anti-Carnapping, Anti-hijacking, Anti-Cybercrimes, and atrocities enacted by the New People’s Army (NPA), National Democratic Front (NDF), or Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
- Special Action Force (SAF) – is the PNP’s elite unit, functioning as a mobile strike force to assist the police force of cities, municipalities, regions, and provinces. SAF aids in civil disturbance control, hostage-taking rescue, and internal security operations. In addition, SAF assists in search and rescue during natural disasters, calamities, and national emergencies. This unit is also involved in special police operations, like ordnance disposal, anti-terrorism, anti-hijacking, and explosives. Most of all, the SAF supervises the PNP Air Unit.
- Aviation Security Group (AVEGROUP) – offers security to all airports in the Philippines.
- Highway Patrol Group (HPG) – implement the traffic regulations and laws. HPG promotes highway safety and improves traffic safety consciousness by cooperating with concerned agencies.
- Police-Community Relations Group (PCRG) – assume the responsibility of organizing the programs and activities of Police Community Relations in collaboration with concerned government agencies, volunteer organizations, and the community. PCRG helps prevent crime and maintain a peaceful and safe environment.
- Civil Security Group (CSG) – manages business activities and operations of organized private guards, watchmen, detectives, company guard forces, and security agencies. CSG also manages the licensing and registration of explosives and firearms.
- Crime Laboratory (CL) – provide PNP and other investigative agencies with scientific and technical support. CL assists in examining, evaluating, and identifying physical evidence collected at crime scenes.
- PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) – acts as the PNP primary unit handling kidnapping and hostage situations in the country.
- PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) – supervises the enactment of PNP pertinent laws regarding cybercrimes and anti-cybercrime campaigns.
- PNP Air Unit (PNP-AU) – was formerly a part of SAF that specializes in providing the entire PNP with air support, staffed by professional, licensed, and skilled aircraft mechanics and pilots.
- Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) – oversees the enactment of law enforcement operations and intelligence development against PNP personnel involved in illegal activities.
- Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) – supervises the prevention and management of illegal drugs with the assistance of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Summary
Overall, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is a beneficial organization that ensures the safety of all Filipino citizens and foreigners. Furthermore, the agency is vital in safeguarding the nation, preventing crimes, and maintaining peace and order across the Philippines. With PNP National Support Units, the government can effectively enforce the law, apprehend those who violate it, and provide security to those who need it. Therefore, the PNP and its dedicated personnel are valuable to the country and its citizens.