Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 379)
The primary law is Executive Order No. 379, issued on November 24, 1989, which realigns the functions of supervision and control over the Integrated National Police (INP) pursuant to Section 31, Chapter 10, Book III of Executive Order No. 292 and relevant provisions of the 1987 Administrative Code.
The President of the Philippines exercises the ultimate command, supervision, and control over the Integrated National Police (INP), and the INP shall function under the Office of the President.
The National Police Commission is given administrative control and supervision over all units of the Integrated National Police (INP).
Before this Executive Order, the Integrated National Police was under the supervision and control of the Department of National Defense as provided in the 1987 Administrative Code.
Article XVI, Section 6 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution is cited, which provides that the State shall establish one police force, national in scope and civilian in character, administered and controlled by a national police commission, with local executives having authority over police units in their jurisdiction as provided by law.
The President has continuing authority to reorganize the Office of the President and to take certain actions necessary for such reorganization, including realigning supervision and control over government agencies such as the Integrated National Police.
Executive Order No. 379 took effect immediately upon its signing on November 24, 1989.
The Integrated National Police (INP) refers to the national police force in the Philippines composed of various local police units integrated into one organization, aimed to maintain peace, law, order, and public safety under national supervision.
The civilian character is emphasized in line with the constitutional mandate to ensure that the police is civilian in nature, thereby functioning under civilian control rather than military, for better accountability and alignment with democratic principles.
The Executive Order effectively transferred the command, supervision, and control of the Integrated National Police from the Department of National Defense to the Office of the President, while administrative supervision is vested in the National Police Commission, thereby realigning the chain of command and control pursuant to constitutional and administrative provisions.