Question & AnswerQ&A (PNP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES NUMBER ODO 2010-01)
The primary purpose of this SOP is to prescribe the rules and regulations in rendering police assistance to final decisions, orders, or resolutions of the COMELEC, DILG, and local government bodies exercising disciplinary powers in administrative cases involving elected officials.
This SOP pertains to final decisions, orders, or resolutions issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), or local government units exercising disciplinary powers.
Police assistance can only be rendered if: 1) The request is based on an order issued by COMELEC, DILG, or the local government body; 2) There is a written request by the Bailiff or concerned DILG Officer; 3) The request is personally filed by the authorized official; 4) The original or authenticated copy of the final decision/order/resolution is presented.
Police assistance must be rendered within three (3) working days from receipt of the directive from the Chief PNP or Regional Director concerned, unless a longer period is specified in the order or due to inherent impossibility.
The Director of the Discipline, Investigation and Prosecution Office (DIPO) concerned supervises the implementation.
Special Task Groups at the DIPO, PRO, or PPO levels implement the directives to render police assistance, with DIPO handling national/regional officials, PRO handling provincial officials, and PPO handling municipal officials.
The agency that rendered the final decision/order/resolution to be implemented shall bear the operational cost, including transportation and meal allowances for PNP personnel.
PNP roles are limited to maintaining peace and order, crowd control, and securing the authorized officer. They must not engage in acts such as breaking into offices or forcibly removing officials. Use of force is a last resort for self-defense or defense of others.
They must observe maximum tolerance and respect for individual rights, exercise utmost impartiality and neutrality, wear police uniform, and employ reasonable force only as a last resort.
They must submit an after-activity report through proper channels to the Chief PNP, detailing the personnel involved, place, time, duration, acts performed, and any untoward incidents, and also provide a copy to the requesting agency.
Violations shall be dealt with administratively, and unit commanders held responsible under command responsibility. Criminal complaints may also be filed if warranted under the Revised Penal Code or special penal statutes.
Verification of authenticity, discreet fact-finding on the subject, request for clearance from Chief PNP, organizing the Special Task Group, coordinating with territorial units and authorized officers, securing emergency assistance, documentation through video, and immediate turnover of arrested persons when jurisdiction lies elsewhere.
The duly authorized officer of the COMELEC, DILG, or Local Government Unit has the final disposition on whether to proceed or not with implementation.