Law Summary
Impact of Crimes on Society and Government Responsibility
- Crimes, especially in commercial and urban areas, cause loss of lives and property, affecting development and public confidence.
- Government's credibility in maintaining peace and order is undermined.
Mandate of the Philippine National Police (PNP)
- PNP is mandated to enforce laws protecting lives and properties.
- It must maintain peace and order and take steps to ensure public safety.
Directive for Intensified Campaign Against Bank Robbery
- PNP leadership from top to lowest units is directed to undertake intensified and relentless campaigns against bank robbery.
Police Presence and Patrols
- Police visibility acts as a deterrent to crime.
- Increased foot and mobile patrols in densely populated and commercial areas are mandated.
- Establishment of control points when necessary.
Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Enhancements
- Law enforcement must stay ahead of criminals in gathering information.
- Creation and maintenance of specific crime databases, such as for carnapping.
- Public posting of notorious criminals’ details to aid public awareness.
Community Involvement and Educational Campaigns
- Development and encouragement of community support in anti-crime efforts.
- Initiatives to organize community-based anti-crime groups and awareness campaigns.
Application of the Doctrine of Command Responsibility
- Command Responsibility means officers are accountable for crimes within their area if they know about them and fail to act preventively or corrective.
- Presumption of knowledge arises from widespread or repeated illegal acts or involvement of immediate staff.
- Strict application of this doctrine is central to the campaign against bank robbery.
Specific Command Responsibilities and Presumptions of Negligence
- Various levels of PNP command have defined responsibilities with measurable standards for presumption of negligence:
- NCR Regional Director: Negligence presumed when 2+ districts have 6+ unsolved bank robberies each per quarter.
- NCR District Director: Presumed negligent with 2+ unsolved bank robberies each per quarter in 2+ stations.
- Chief of Police of City/Municipal Police Station or Numbered Station Commander: Presumed negligent when 2+ sub-stations each have 2+ unsolved robberies in 1 month.
- Police Community Precinct or Sub-Station Commander: Presumed negligent with 1+ unsolved robbery in 1 month.
- Other Regional Directors, Provincial Directors, City Directors, and their subordinates have similar standards.
General Provisions on Enforcement and Sanctions
- Failure to exercise command responsibility leads to removal from assignment.
- Pre-charge investigations must be completed within 10 days.
- Probable cause findings lead to preventive suspension and formal investigation as per relevant NAPOLCOM Circulars.
Penalties for Neglect and Criminal Involvement
- PNP personnel failing to respond within 30 minutes to alarm/report face administrative charges for Serious Neglect of Duty.
- Those charged as principals, accomplices, or accessories in bank robbery face administrative charges and possible dismissal in addition to criminal prosecution.
Recognition for Effective Action
- Personnel instrumental in apprehending bank robbers shall receive recognition, positively affecting promotion considerations.
- Promotions are evaluated based on performance in the campaign against bank robbery.
Supersession and Effective Date
- Modifies or repeals conflicting NAPOLCOM issuances.
- Takes effect 15 days after publication and filing with the UP Law Center as required by the Administrative Code of 1987.