Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 421)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 421 is to integrate the city/municipal police forces, jails, and fire departments within the Greater Manila Area into a single unit called the Metropolitan Police Force to ensure effective law enforcement unhampered by political or territorial boundaries.
The Metropolitan Police Force covers the Cities of Manila, Quezon, Caloocan, and Pasay; Municipalities of Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Navotas, and Malabon in Rizal Province; and the Municipality of Valenzuela in Bulacan Province.
The Metropolitan Police Force is headed by the Commanding General of the Philippine Constabulary Metropolitan Command (PC METROCOM).
The Metropolitan Police Force is responsible for public safety, maintenance of peace, law and order within its jurisdiction. It has the power to prevent crimes, ensure public safety, arrest offenders, investigate crimes, and prosecute offenders.
Section 3 states that the Commanding General of PC METROCOM has the power of direction and control over the Metropolitan Police Force in the discharge of its functions.
The Commanding General has tactical, strategic, and operational control over the entire Metropolitan Police Force, including the movements, deployments, training, and utilization of its elements, equipment, facilities, and other resources within its jurisdiction.
Section 5 provides that administrative control and supervision remain with the existing offices and officials but shall not negatively affect the operational integrity and efficiency of the Metropolitan Police Force. Operational control takes precedence over administrative control if conflicts arise.
The administrative control is to be transferred to the Philippine Constabulary after one year but not later than two years from the effectivity of the decree.
Each city and municipality must allocate at least 18% of its annual budget for the maintenance of the Metropolitan Police Force once administrative control is transferred to the Philippine Constabulary. The national government shall provide subsidies and fund modernization efforts.
Any person who obstructs or interferes with the decree's implementation shall face imprisonment of 3 to 6 years and/or a fine of P5,000 to P10,000. If the offender is a public officer or employee, they may additionally be disqualified for life from public office or employment.