QuestionsQuestions (PNP MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2011-028)
The circular explains that salute is the most important form of military and police courtesy, and that mutual respect among PNP members promotes cooperation and unity. It was also revised to synchronize and be coherent with the Armed Forces of the Philippines observed during events (e.g., in Malacañang).
Salute is a formal gesture of recognition, friendship, and respect accorded to persons of superior rank or station, generally as part of military protocol. The basic hand salute is raising the right hand smartly until the tip of the forefinger touches the right eyebrow or the front brim of the headgear when covered, with fingers extended and joined and the palm facing the left forearm inclined about 45 degrees.
When a lower ranking PCO meets a higher ranking PCO outdoors, the circular states the meeting should be within a distance of approximately one (1) to ten (10) meters.
The circular states that the lower ranking PCO will hold the sling in the upper sling swivel portion with his left hand and execute the hand salute.
When moving and the rifle has no sling, the lower ranking PCO should execute the left shoulder arm, then execute salute by bringing up smartly his right hand across the body perpendicular touching the breech of the rifle with his arm extended and joined.
A lower ranking PCO in civilian attire salutes a higher ranking PCO wearing the prescribed PNP uniform (or specified uniforms of counterparts in AF, PCG, BJMP, BFP) only when reporting directly to him/her. If security would be compromised, a usual greeting (e.g., good morning/good afternoon) is adequate, followed by brief introduction and purpose.
Indoors, a lower ranking officer does not salute a higher ranking officer even when both wear prescribed PNP uniforms, except when the lower ranking officer is reporting, called by a superior to inquire, and/or on duty as a sentinel or guard.
Uniformed personnel in prescribed uniform render the prescribed PNP salute at the first note and drop it upon the last note. Non-uniformed personnel and uniformed personnel not wearing the prescribed uniform stand at attention and place the right palm over the left chest; the gesture is maintained during the anthem and completed/dropped on the last note.
All PNP uniformed personnel in prescribed uniform must face the national flag and render salute during hoisting, lowering, and reveille ceremony. For reveille, if the flag is not within view, they face the source of music and salute on the first note of “To the Colors” and complete it on the last note.
PNP personnel wearing the prescribed PNP uniform render salute during wreath laying ceremonies after the volley fire while the music (taps) is being played.
The most senior PCOs/PNCOs render the salute, and the most senior PCO acknowledges/returns the salute.
The circular states that while at work salute is not rendered, except when a superior officer calls for the officer who is working—then the latter stops work, approaches and salutes the superior officer, and again when they part.
It states that one does not salute when meeting a prisoner of war because the PNP member is serving as police/military prisoners are not entitled to a salute.
Failure to render salute falls under slight or simple misconduct under Section 2 of Rule 22 of NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 2007-001, with imposable penalties ranging from one (1) day to ten (10) days (minimum), eleven (11) to twenty (20) days (medium), or twenty-one (21) to thirty (30) days (maximum), including withholding of privileges/restriction, suspension, forfeiture of salary, or combinations thereof.
It states that the Rules of Procedures in NAPOLCOM Circular No. 2007-001 shall be applied to reported erring individual police officers.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication.