QuestionsQuestions (PNP CIRCULAR NO. 2008-18)
It prescribes the policies, guidelines, and procedures governing the foreign travel of all Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, including both official missions and personal business, and provides information on what to do before, during, and after travel.
Foreign Travel is travel of PNP personnel abroad on official mission or personal business.
It is the authority granted to PNP personnel to travel on official time or personal business, duly approved by the President or SILG/Chairman, NAPOLCOM, stating the specific purpose of travel, number of days, detailed itinerary, and contact details of the personnel in the destination.
No PNP personnel shall be allowed to travel abroad—whether on official mission or personal business—without an approved Foreign Travel Authority (FTA) or similar authority.
Except for the Chief, PNP, only one (1) member of the Command Group and a maximum of four (4) members of the Directorial Staff may go on foreign travel at any one time.
They shall not be sent to foreign training/study grants or conferences/other international commitments, except when they represent their office directed by the President through SILG as representative of the Philippine government; similar travels may be allowed if the host organization/country shoulders the expenses.
Travel expenses must strictly adhere to Executive Order No. 298 (as cited in the circular), which prescribes rules and new rates of allowances for official local and foreign travels of government personnel.
It mandates austerity measures: official transportation shall be of the economy class unless otherwise specified in the travel authority and approved by the President.
In coordination with the DFA and immigration authorities, details of the travel must be furnished to the DFA and the Office of the Philippine Embassy (including itinerary) at least five (5) days before scheduled departure; also, travel details are submitted for coordination with DFA and police attaches.
The Secretary of the Interior and Local Government/Chairman, NAPOLCOM solely takes action (approved/disapproved/defer) on all FTA applications of PNP personnel.
For conferences and conventions, requirements must be submitted to the Directorate for Plans at least thirty (30) days or earlier before the departure date for approval of the Chief, PNP.
For trainings, seminars, or study grants, submit requirements to the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD) at least thirty (30) days prior to departure for deliberation by the FTEB and subsequent approval by the Chief, PNP.
Selection of nominee/s and recommendation for approval is at the wise discretion of TDHRDD from the pool of PNP personnel for foreign training to ensure PNP participation; however, processing time is shortened due to the late invitation.
Submit to DPRM (Attn: Personnel Service Section, Morale and Welfare Division) thirty (30) days before the start of the intended leave: endorsement, basic letter request (days, reason, address while on leave), CSC Form No. 6, breakdown of leave credits, NHQ IAS and Legal Service clearances, and unit clearances including certificates of non-pending case, non-money/property accountability, and undertaking about drug-related witness status.
Within thirty (30) days after arrival from foreign mission, the personnel must submit an after official mission report to the Chief, PNP, copy furnished to the secretariat of the FTEB.
Cash advances must be liquidated strictly within sixty (60) days after return as required under EO 298; otherwise, payment of salary shall be suspended until compliance.
Violation results in administrative liability for “grave misconduct” and penalties accordingly, without prejudice to criminal prosecution (e.g., under RA 3019 Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and other applicable special criminal laws).