BJMP Alert Status SOP for Disaster and Crisis

Legal basis and governing references

Republic Act No. 6975, as amended by Republic Act No. 8551, governs the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990 as a referenced framework.
Republic Act No. 10121 provides the referenced legal basis for disaster risk reduction and management.
The SOP is guided by the BJMP Manual Revised 2007 as Amended.
The SOP applies a BJMP DRRM mainstreaming policy requiring creation of DRRM Committees in the NHQ, Regional, and Jail levels under a designated BJMP DRRM national framework policy.

Policy rationale and objectives

The SOP requires an alert system because disasters may damage jail facilities and may cost the life of jail officers and/or persons deprived of liberty (PDL) if not managed beforehand.
The SOP establishes activation of the alert system to maximize personnel deployment during disasters and crises.
The SOP strengthens precautionary measures, preparedness, prevention of loss of life and property, reduction of jail crises, and smooth communication during critical situations.
The SOP institutionalizes planning, organizing, delegating, coordinating, staffing, and evaluating principles for critical situations to strengthen security during normal and crisis operations.
The SOP strengthens the roles of Regional Directors and Jail Wardens in raising alert status.

Coverage and defined alert levels

The SOP covers personnel in the National Headquarters, Regional Offices, and all BJMP-manned jails.
Alert Status is defined as the readiness level of the agency, offices, or field units to prevent and/or deal with actual or imminent dangers from man-made or natural disasters.
Alert Status is classified into three levels: White Alert Status, Blue Alert Status, and Red Alert Status.
White Alert Status applies as the first alert level for normal operations/situations.
Blue Alert Status requires 50% attendance of personnel and is the second stage where emergency preparations are carried out under the Incident Management System (IMS).
Red Alert Status requires 100% attendance of personnel and involves 24-hour monitoring in the office/jail for immediate response to critical incidents or in anticipation of emergencies; it includes planning, coordinating dissemination of information, and activation of OPLANs.
Coordination is defined as exchange of information to inform, integrate, synchronize, and de-conflict operations, including coordination with inter-unit and allied agencies.
Crisis is defined as any ongoing or expected event that leads toward an unstable and dangerous situation affecting individuals, groups, communities, or whole society, or as a turning point in events.
Disaster is defined as a situation and process involving a hazardous event with negative consequences, particularly damage to properties, livelihood disruption, and/or casualties.
Emergency is defined as an actual threat to an individual’s life or public health and safety, or sudden occurrence of unfortunate events needing immediate response.
Field Level 1 Incidents include assault on another individual, contraband seizures, personnel arrest, personnel misconduct, and suicide or verbal threat.
Field Level 2 Incidents are incidents of exceptional significance likely to draw media attention, including escape, riot, noise barrage, disasters and other major jail incidents, or death of inmates by reasons thereto.
Jailbreak is defined as escape from jail by two (2) or more PDL using force, threat, violence, deceit, or breaching security barriers by methods such as scaling perimeter fence, tunneling, and burning or destroying the facility (with or without aid of jail officers or any other person).
Jail Escape is defined as leaving jail by a PDL through unofficial and illegal ways without legal orders.
Jail Incident is defined as any untoward or uncommon actions, events, or conditions such as jail break, riot, noise barrage, stabbing or assault inside jail by any person, which may or may not be dependent on grave or serious consequences such as escape, injury, death, fire, flood, earthquake, or other calamities affecting jails.
Lockdown is an emergency protocol ordered by jail authorities to protect PDL, visitors, and personnel inside the facility before, during, and after a jail incident.
Overpowered Jail Facility is a situation where PDL controls the facility, in whole or in part.

Authority to issue alert orders

Authority to issue orders concerning alert status is vested upon the Directorate for Operations (DO) with approval of the Chief, BJMP.
The Operations Division of the Regional Office may issue orders with approval of the Regional Director.
At jail level, the Jail Warden has full authority to issue alert status orders.
Alert status duration depends on field conditions, and the DO, the Operations Division, or the Jail Warden has wide discretion to lift or extend the duration.
Alert orders must specify the alert level, duration (if fixed), area of coverage, relevant information, and required actions for concerned offices/personnel.

When and how alert status is raised

Red alert status must be observed automatically in specific jails in instances of Field Level 2 incidents and/or as directed by higher authorities.
Red alert status applies to Field Level 1 incidents when field circumstances warrant it.
Alert status for an incoming calamity must be declared at the earliest possible time to enable heads of offices and personnel to prepare and execute action plans for extreme situations.
Upon recommendation and approval of the Chief, BJMP, the Directorate for Intelligence may issue alert status orders to particular regions in cases of threat or attacks by lawless elements and/or terrorist group/s.
The Regional Office must notify the Directorate for Operations of alert status raised within the Regional level, including reasons and threat assessment, if any.
The same notification procedure applies by Jail Wardens at the jail level.
Regional offices and jail units must ensure the fastest available means of communication—radio, telephone, facsimile, electronic mail (e-mail), and short messaging system (SMS) using cellular phones or the issued satellite phone if any—so vital information reaches higher offices as soon as possible.
An alert status indicator (circle chart) showing red, blue, and white colors with an arrow indicating the alert level must be displayed in conspicuous areas in the National Headquarters, respective Regional Offices, and jails.

Alert level triggers by location

White alert status applies to normal situations at the National Level, Regional Level, and Jail Level.
Blue alert status at the National Level applies to pronouncements/launching of countries within the Asia Pacific on chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear explosive test which will likely pass the PAR, forecasts of incoming disasters, and other events when the situation warrants, including martial law in adjacent islands or regions, hostage taking in adjacent jails, escape of high risk/high profile inmates, and other warranted events.
Blue alert status at the Regional Level applies to riot/noise barrage/hostage taking and jail disturbances in other jails within the region, and other warranted events.
Blue alert status at the Jail Level applies to normal situations.
Red alert status at the National Level applies to natural disasters, including earthquake with massive impact; typhoon or weather disturbances and flooding; man-made disasters including national emergencies/martial law (nationwide); series of bombings in different parts of the Philippines; threat on terror attacks; cyber-attacks on communication system; and other warranted circumstances such as Yuletide season, Holy Week, and other events.
Red alert status at the National Level also applies to other circumstances.
Red alert status at the Regional Level applies to mass jail break within the region; overpowered jail facility; armed conflict within the region or adjacent regions; intense earthquake and flooding affecting the region/regions; tsunami warning; siege or attack by lawless elements or terror attacks; epidemic outbreak within the region and/or adjacent regions; typhoon or weather disturbance directly affecting the region; fire involving 3 or more facilities; drought affecting the region/insufficiency of food supplies for PDL; and other warranted events.
Red alert status at jail level applies to jail escape, hostage taking, rescue, fire, flash flood, riot, noise barrage, attempted rescue, transfer of facility (OPLAN LIPAT BAHAY), hunger strike, epidemic outbreak, and other warranted events.
Red alert status at jail level is triggered by named specific jail events, including escape, disturbances, and security-threatening occurrences listed in the SOP.

Lifting and lowering alert status

An alert status with a fixed period is lifted automatically upon expiration without requiring a subsequent order unless the issuing office extends it for valid reasons.
An alert status of indefinite period is lifted only after reaching a state of normalcy or if security/safety risks lessen.
An indefinite alert status is lifted only by an official order from the issuing office.
Alert status may be lowered from red alert to blue alert depending on field conditions.
Lowering from red to blue requires the recommendation of the Directorate for Intelligence/Directorate for Operations if the alert order emanates from the NHQ.
Lowering within the scope of regions follows recommendation of the Regional Intelligence Division/Operations Division of Regional Office or by jail units.
Jail Wardens have full authority to lower alert status within their respective level.

Implementation roles and tasks

The Directorate for Operations disseminates orders raising alert status nationwide.
The Directorate for Operations directs STAR Team members to immediately report at the National Headquarters and respective Regional Offices for deployment to threatened areas as needed.
The Directorate for Operations monitors preparedness actions by jail units, including updating/upgrading and regular conduct of dry run of OPLANs, installation of security equipment, and repair of facilities’ weak points to ensure compliance with incident/disaster requirements in disaster-stricken areas.
The Directorate for Operations monitors weather advisories from PAG-ASA and/or PHIVOLCS for other calamities.
The Directorate for Operations gathers reports from respective jails on preparedness initiatives such as pre-emptive evacuation and prepositioning of resources.
The Directorate for Operations provides the Command Group with situational reports, spot reports, or incident reports for information and reference.
The Directorate for Operations prepares situational reports, spot reports, or incident reports for submission to DILG if necessary.
The Directorate for Operations monitors DRRMC strategies employed in jails and coordinates with other national agencies to advocate DRRM objectives under BJMP Memorandum Circular No. DPD-MC-23.
The Directorate for Operations coordinates actively with the DILG, representing convention/meetings.
The Directorate for Operations prepares other action plans and performs other tasks as directed by the Chief, BJMP.
The Directorate for Intelligence/Regional Intelligence Division coordinates or establishes linkages with government agencies and line agencies/organizations.
The Directorate for Intelligence/Regional Intelligence Division conducts regular assessment/evaluation and review/monitoring of threat groups and their activities.
The Directorate for Intelligence/Regional Intelligence Division expands intelligence networks on new technology, routing, and concealment methods employed by enemies.
The Directorate for Intelligence/Regional Intelligence Division conducts risk and threat assessment at national and regional levels, uses results to drive all security planning preparations of all jail units/offices at all levels, and recommends to the DO the need for heightened alert levels.
The Directorate for Investigation and Prosecution/Regional Investigation and Prosecution Division conducts investigation and files appropriate charges against erring BJMP personnel.
The Legal Service Office determines legal issues and intricacies in declaring alert status and its extensions; assists jail units and Regional Offices in addressing impediments consistent with alert level actions; and performs other tasks as directed by the Chief, BJMP.
The Directorate for Logistics/Regional Logistics Division provides logistical support, mobilizes resources for response and information management including communications during disasters and other incidents, and performs other tasks as directed by the Chief, BJMP.
The Community Relation Service Office coordinates with DO or the Command Group prior to releasing information to media and prepares materials for meetings, briefings, or press conferences.
The Operations Divisions disseminate alert orders to all jail units; monitor jail actions; coordinate with allied agencies including PNP and AFP; participate in Regional DRRMC meetings; submit situational reports to the DO every four (4) hours or as necessary until conclusion; send SMS advisories; prepare and submit documentation of all jail incidents/disasters; submit consolidated reports after incidents/calities to the DO; and perform other tasks as directed by higher office.
Jail Units disseminate declarations of blue or red alert status to all personnel; conduct jail information and education; conduct dry runs of OPLANs and/or activate them when circumstances warrant; automatically cancel/disapprove leave of absence; coordinate with friendly forces; ensure attendance of personnel according to declared alert status; conduct security and facility assessments led by the Jail DRRM Committee with coordination with the local DRRMC by the designated Jail DRRM Officer and monitoring of PAG-ASA/PHIVOLCS advisories.
Jail Units must ensure availability of service vehicles and prepare emergency equipment; ascertain communications availability; submit situational reports every four (4) hours or as necessary to the Operations Division or submit spot/incident reports within the periods required by the SOP.
Jail Units must intensify intelligence, counterintelligence, and jail operations to preempt and prevent lawless activities; alert the Special Tactics and Response Team or adjacent jail personnel for emergencies; and perform other pre-cautionary measures.

Reporting, monitoring, and evaluation

Field Level 2 incidents must be reported immediately by the Jail Warden to the Operations Division of the Regional Office through phone followed by fax within one (1) hour from occurrence.
Field Level 1 incidents must be faxed within three (3) hours or sent through e-mail.
Operations Divisions must immediately dispatch Field Level 2 incident reports to the Directorate for Operations upon receipt.
Urgent incidents may also be reported by phone followed by official reports through fax/e-mail within one (1) hour from receipt by the Operations Division from the jail.
Non-investigation reports must contain the 5Ws and 1H in a memorandum type, and must indicate the action/s taken.
A National Jail Incident Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (NJIMEC) is created, chaired by the Deputy Chief for Operations, with a Vice-Chairperson from the Directorate for Operations, and members from: Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, Directorate for Inmates Welfare and Development, Directorate for Logistics, Directorate for Intelligence, and Directorate for Comptrollership.
NJIMEC monitors and assesses major incidents or crises, gathers necessary information, and serves as basis for top management action—especially for resource utilization and information for the SILG.
A Regional Jail Incident Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (RJIMEC) is created, chaired by the Assistant Regional Director for Operations, with a Vice-Chairperson as Chief, Operations Division, and members from: Chief, Personnel and Records Management, Chief, Inmates Welfare and Development Division, Chief, Logistics Division, Chief, Comptrollership Division, and Chief, Regional Intelligence Division.
RJIMEC monitors and evaluates field situations during and after incidents to validate and gather information needed for reporting to the National Headquarters and to determine effectiveness and efficiency of jail responses to critical situations.

Penalties, separability, and rescission

Faithful compliance with the SOP is mandated.
Violations of the SOP are handled under the 2017 Comprehensive BJMP Administrative Disciplinary Machinery.
Any major incident occurring during the height of Alert Status is considered an aggravating circumstance in the administrative aspect of the case.
If any part of the SOP is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions remain valid and subsisting.
All circulars or issuances inconsistent with the SOP are rescinded or modified accordingly.