References and legal basis
- The Circular implements Executive Order No. 546, series of 2006.
- The Circular is anchored on NHQ-PNP General Orders No. DPL-09-06.
- The Circular aligns with the 2009 PNP Action Plan on Integrated Transformation Program.
Policy guidelines and intent
- The Circular aims to create a clearer delineation of authority relationships among the PNP Command Group, Directorial Staff, and Directorates for Integrated Police Operations (DIPOs).
- The Circular seeks to enhance the span of control exercised by the Chief, PNP over administration, operation, and control of the PNP.
- The Circular strengthens working relationships among the Command Group, Directorial Staff (including DIPOs), Regional Police Offices (PROs), and National Support Units (NSUs).
- The Circular lays down procedures for intelligence, operations, investigation, hot pursuit operations, and arrest of suspects involved in transregional crimes.
Definitions of key authorities
- “Control” is the power to regulate the actions of a subordinate to ensure organizational objectives and policies are carried out, including authority to modify, amend or rescind decisions of subordinates.
- “Operational Control” is the authority delegated to a commander to direct forces to accomplish specific missions or tasks limited by function, time, or location, including deployment and tactical control, and it does not of itself include administrative or logistic responsibility, discipline, internal organization, or unit training.
- “Direct and Supervise” is the authority to act directly whenever a function is entrusted to a subordinate, including directing duty performance, restraining unlawful acts, reviewing/approving/reversing/modifying acts and decisions, determining priorities for execution of plans and programs, and prescribing standards, guidelines, plans, and programs.
- “Command” is the authority a Director/Head of Office lawfully exercises over subordinates by virtue of designation.
- “Responsibility” is the obligation to carry out an assigned task to a successful conclusion and goes with authority to direct and take necessary action to ensure success.
- “Functional authority” is power delegated by the Chief, PNP to the Directorial Staff to control specified processes, practices, and other matters of NSUs relating to specific staff responsibilities.
- “Directing Functional Authority” is power of members of the Directorial Staff to draw up and transmit orders and instructions to Directors of PROs and NSUs on matters within their areas of expertise, consistent with existing policies and command guidance.
- “Supervisory Authority” is delegated authority that is neither line nor staff and enables the delegate to oversee specified responsibilities.
- “Supervision” is the power to direct and oversee a subordinate’s actions toward accomplishment of organizational objectives.
- “Inter-Operability” means the conduct of police operations or joint PNP/AFP movement against lawless elements addressing peace and order issues such as insurgency, criminality, and terrorist attacks involving or affecting two (2) or more Police Regional Offices under a DIPO.
Authority relationships: command and supervision
- The Deputy Chief for Administration (TDCA), through The Chief of the Directorial Staff (TCDS), exercises supervisory authority over: TDPRM (Director for Personnel and Records Management), TDL (Director for Logistics), TDHRDD (Director for Human Resource and Doctrine Development), TDRD (Director for Research and Development), and TDC (Director for Comptrollership).
- The Deputy Chief for Operations (TDCO), through The Chief of Directorial Staff (TCDS), exercises supervisory authority over: TDI (Director for Intelligence), TDO (Director for Operations), TDPL (Director for Plans), TDRCP (Director for Police Community Relations), DIDM (Director for Investigation and Detective Management), and Directors for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO).
- The Directors for Integrated Police Operations in Northern Luzon and Southern Luzon must formulate and implement operational plans/policies/directives/SOPs in accordance with PNP master/general plans/policies/directives/SOPs, tailored to the environmental peculiarities in their respective AOR.
- The Directors for Integrated Police Operations must oversee the peace and order implementation of policing plans and programs peculiar to the AOR in support of socio-economic development.
- The Directorate for Operations must assist the Chief, PNP in command, control, direction, coordination, and supervision of operations, employment, and deployment of the PNP.
- The Directorate for Operations must be responsible for formulation and implementation of PNP master plans, general policies/issuances/directives, and standard operating procedures on internal security operations, anti-criminality campaign, law enforcement, and counter terrorism.
- All members of the Directorial Staff, including newly activated DIPOs, must sustain coordinating relationships that include advising, planning, synchronizing, and harmonizing actions on matters within their respective areas of concern.
Operational guidelines and reporting lines
- DIPOs must direct and supervise anti-criminality, counter-terrorism, and counter-insurgency operations against lawless elements that affect two (2) or more PROs.
- During inter-regional operations and/or joint operations with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the PROs must be under the operational control and supervision of DIPOs, and must adhere to instructions/directives issued by the DIPO Directors.
- Regional Directors of PROs must continue to exercise supervision and control over PPOs/CPOs/CPS/MPS for maintenance of peace and order within their area of responsibility.
- Coordination on intelligence, investigation, community relations, or operations involving trans-regional crimes must be made to the concerned DIPO.
- Regional Directors of PROs must render reports of all crimes committed in their respective areas of responsibility to the Directorate for Operations.
- DIPO Directors must render reports directly to the Chief, PNP through the Command Group when crimes or operations involve trans-regional concerns in their AOR, with copies furnished to the concerned Directorial Staff for planning/programming, statistics reporting, and other similar purposes.
- Heads of NSU regional offices must render reports to DIPOs on results of operations conducted in support of inter-regional peace and order campaigns, with copies furnished to the concerned Director of NSU.
- NSU personnel must continue to assume their duties in their respective regional offices in support to PROs on matters relating to their mandate, and must be under the operational supervision of DIPOs.
- DIPOs must supervise and control police operations against terrorists, insurgents, and criminals only during operations involving trans-regional boundaries; day-to-day operations within local boundaries remain the responsibility of the Regional Directors/PROs.
- Regional Directors of PROs must maintain peace and order, prevention and control of crimes solely affecting their respective areas of responsibility.
- Regional Directors must update and provide information/reports to DIPOs on the existence of trans-regional crimes or lawless groups operating in the area.
Coverage: trans-regional responsibility
- DIPOs must be responsible for crimes that affect the trans-regional peace and order situation when they fall under the enumerated trans-regional categories.
- Trans-regional categories covered by DIPO responsibility include: Terrorism (Violation of Human Security Act), Human Smuggling, Piracy in General, Rebellion or Insurrection, Arms Smuggling, Hi-jacking, Coup daetat, Kidnapping for Ransom, Highway Robbery, Marine Crimes, and Other crimes as may be subsequently identified.
- Crimes affecting the peace and order situation of only one (1) locality or one (1) region are handled by the concerned PRO.
Investigation, arrest operations, and case handling
- Investigations of crimes enumerated in Paragraph VII require that the CIDG and/or PRO, upon orders of the concerned DIPO Director, must investigate and file cases in court in coordination and support of concerned PNP units/office.
- During hot pursuit operations, concerned PRO-PPOs/NSUs may continue pursuit and investigation even if operations transcend boundaries, provided lateral coordination is timely made to the affected PRO or PPO and the concerned DIPO is notified through the fastest means of communication.
- DIPOs must supervise handling of sensational cases enumerated in Paragraph VII.
- DIDM and DO must prescribe assignment of cases to be handled either jointly or separately by the DIPO or PRO.
- All crimes committed within the AOR of a PRO or its subordinate units must be handled by those units in the exercise of their inherent duties and responsibilities to promote justice and peace in the locality.
Rescission and inconsistency rule
- All PNP policies, directives, and issuances inconsistent with the Circular’s provisions are deemed rescinded or modified accordingly.