Title
Integration of police, jails and fire in Greater Manila
Law
Presidential Decree No. 421
Decision Date
Mar 21, 1974
Presidential Decree No. 421 integrates the separate police forces, jails, and fire departments within the Greater Manila Area to ensure public safety and eliminate the danger posed by criminal elements, with the Metropolitan Police Force being responsible for maintaining peace, law, and order.
A

Integration of Police Forces, Jails, and Fire Departments (Section 1)

  • Police forces, jails, and fire departments of specified cities (Manila, Quezon, Caloocan, Pasay) and municipalities (Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Navotas, Malabon - Rizal province, and Valenzuela - Bulacan province) are integrated.
  • This integration forms the "Metropolitan Police Force."
  • The Commanding General of the Philippine Constabulary Metropolitan Command (PC METROCOM) shall head this unified force.

Jurisdiction and Powers of the Metropolitan Police Force (Section 2)

  • Responsible for public safety and maintaining peace, law and order within the specified territorial limits.
  • Empowered to prevent crimes, ensure public safety, arrest offenders, conduct investigations, and prosecute criminal cases within its jurisdiction.

Direction and Control (Section 3 and 4)

  • The Commanding General, PC METROCOM, holds the power of direction and control over the Metropolitan Police Force.
  • This authority includes tactical and strategic deployment, utilization of personnel, equipment, facilities, training, and other operational matters to ensure effective law enforcement.

Administrative Control and Supervision (Section 5)

  • Until transfer of administrative control, existing offices and officials retain administrative supervision over respective police, jails, and fire departments.
  • Administrative functions include appointments, promotions, disciplinary actions, salaries, benefits, and logistical support.
  • Administrative control must not impair the operational efficiency or integrity of the Metropolitan Police Force.
  • In case of conflict between administrative and operational control, operational control prevails.

Transfer of Administrative Control to Philippine Constabulary (Section 6)

  • Within one to two years from the decree's effectivity, administrative control and supervision shall transfer to the Philippine Constabulary.
  • All personnel, records, funds, properties, equipment, and resources related to the Metropolitan Police Force will be transferred.

Funding and Budgetary Provisions (Section 7)

  • Post-transfer, each city and municipality shall allocate at least 18% of its annual budget to support the Metropolitan Police Force.
  • The national government will provide subsidies to ensure minimum salary standards and support modernization of equipment and facilities.

Protection of Personnel Compensation (Section 8)

  • Implementation shall not reduce the salaries of personnel except for lawful cause.

Rules and Regulations (Section 9)

  • The Chief of Constabulary, with the Secretary of National Defense's approval, shall promulgate necessary rules for the decree’s effective implementation.

Penal Provisions (Section 10)

  • Persons obstructing or interfering with the decree's implementation shall face imprisonment of 3 to 6 years and/or fines of P5,000 to P10,000.
  • Public officers or employees found guilty may also be disqualified from public office or employment for life.

Repealing Clause (Section 11)

  • Repeals or modifies inconsistent provisions in the Police Act of 1966, related Presidential Decrees, City Charters, the Revised Administrative Code, and other relevant laws, rules, and regulations.

Effectivity (Section 12)

  • The decree takes effect immediately upon approval.

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