Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 169)
The purpose of Presidential Decree No. 169 is to require attending physicians and medical practitioners who treat persons for physical injuries resulting from violence to report such treatment to the nearest Philippine Constabulary unit to assist law enforcement in tracking violent crimes, investigating, and arresting perpetrators.
The attending physician of any hospital, medical clinic, sanitarium, other medical establishments, or any medical practitioner who has treated any person for physical injuries is required to report such treatment.
The report must be made personally or by the fastest means of communication to the nearest Philippine Constabulary unit.
Serious or less serious physical injuries as defined in Articles 262, 263, 264, and 265 of the Revised Penal Code must be reported.
The report should, when practicable, indicate the name, age, address, and nearest kin of the patient; nature and probable cause of the injury; approximate time and date and place where the injury was sustained; time, date, and nature of treatment; and the physical diagnosis and/or disposition of the patient.
No fee shall be charged for the transmission of such report through government communication facilities.
Violators with malicious intent or gross negligence shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than three years and/or a fine of not less than P1,000 and not more than P3,000 as may be directed by a military tribunal.
The government license or permit of the attending physician to practice his profession shall be canceled by the Civil Service Commission after the sentence by the military tribunal becomes final and executory.
The Secretary of Health and the Secretary of National Defense are responsible for promulgating the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of the Decree.