Rationale and Background
- Increasing frequency and unpredictability of natural and man-made disasters threatening jail facilities
- Importance of activating BJMP alert system to increase manpower and security readiness
- Empowerment of regional or jail units to raise alert independently when early signs occur
- Critical need for timeliness to prevent exploitation by inmates or lawless elements
- Emphasis on proper communication and monitoring for effective crisis management
Objectives of Alert Status Policy
- Establish comprehensive guidelines for alert statuses enhancing jail security in normal and crisis conditions
- Build disaster-resilient jails with institutionalized arrangements to reduce incidents and enhance preparedness
- Implement standard management principles (planning, organizing, delegating, coordinating, staffing, evaluating) during critical situations
Scope
- Applies to personnel at National Headquarters, Regional Offices, and all BJMP-manned jail facilities
Definitions
- Alert Status Levels: • White Alert: normal operations • Blue Alert: 50% personnel attendance; emergency preparation per Incident Management System • Red Alert: 100% personnel attendance; 24-hour monitoring and immediate response readiness
- Coordination: exchange of relevant information across units and allied agencies
- Crisis: ongoing or imminent event causing instability or danger to society or individuals
- Disaster: hazardous event with damage to property, livelihood disruption, and/or casualties
- Emergency: immediate threat to life, health, or public safety requiring urgent response
- Field Level Incidents: • Level 1: minor but significant incidents (assault, contraband, personnel misconduct, suicide threats) • Level 2: major incidents attracting media attention (escape, riot, noise barrage, death)
- Jailbreak: coordinated escape using force or deceit involving two or more prisoners
- Jail Escape: illegal departure from jail by PDL without authority
- Jail Incident: any unusual or untoward event in jail affecting security or welfare
- Lockdown: emergency protocol to protect persons inside jail before, during, after incidents
- Overpowered Jail Facility: situation where inmates control the facility wholly or partially
General Guidelines on Authority and Duration
- Authority to issue, lift or extend alert status rests with: • Directorate for Operations (DO) with Chief BJMP approval (National) • Operations Division of Regional Office with Regional Director approval • Jail Warden at jail level
- Alert orders must specify level, duration, area, relevant info, and required actions
- Red Alert is automatic for field level 2 incidents or as directed; may apply for level 1 incidents if warranted
- Alert status for calamities declared promptly for timely preparation
- Directorate for Intelligence can raise alert on intelligence threats with BJMP Chief approval
- Requirement for prompt notification of alert status through appropriate channels
- Maintenance of multiple communication means for rapid information dissemination
- Display of alert status indicator (circle chart) in all BJMP offices and jails
Raising Alert Status: Scope and Examples
- National, Regional, Jail level alert classifications: White, Blue, Red
- Blue Alert National: events like chemical test launches, disaster forecasts, martial law in adjacent areas
- Blue Alert Regional: jail disturbances or high-risk inmate escapes
- Blue Alert Jail: riots, hostage-taking, noise barrage in other regional jails
- Red Alert National: natural disasters (massive earthquakes, typhoons), man-made disasters (martial law, terror threats, cyber-attacks)
- Red Alert Regional: mass jail breaks, overpowered facility, armed conflict, epidemic outbreak
- Red Alert Jail: jailbreak, hostage taking, fire, floods, riots, transfer operations, hunger strike, epidemic outbreak within jail
Lifting or Lowering Alert Status
- Automatic lifting upon expiry for fixed-duration alerts unless extended
- Indefinite alerts lifted only by official order after risks subside
- Red Alert may be downgraded to Blue depending on field conditions
- Authority to lower alert status mirrors issuing authority
Specific Duties of BJMP Directors and Offices
- Directorate for Operations: disseminate alerts, deploy STAR teams, monitor preparedness, coordinate national agencies, prepare reports
- Directorate for Intelligence: conduct risk assessments, intelligence gathering, recommend alert changes
- Directorate for Investigation and Prosecution: investigate personnel violations
- Legal Service Office: address legal issues on alert declarations
- Directorate for Logistics: provide logistical support and resource mobilization
- Community Relation Service Office: coordinate media information and prepare communication materials
- Regional Operations Divisions: disseminate alerts, monitor jail actions, coordinate with allied agencies, submit reports
- Jail Units: disseminate alerts internally, conduct education and drills, cancel leaves, ensure personnel attendance, maintain communication and security, submit reports, enhance intelligence and tactical readiness
Reporting System and Timelines
- Level 2 incidents: immediate phone report then fax within 1 hour
- Level 1 incidents: fax within 3 hours or email
- Regional offices immediately relay level 2 incident reports to National HQ
- Reports must follow 5Ws and 1H format with indicated actions taken
Jail Incident Monitoring and Evaluation Committees
- National Jail Incident Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (NJIMEC): chaired by Deputy Chief for Operations; includes key directorates; monitors major incidents and advises top management and SILG
- Regional Jail Incident Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (RJIMEC): chaired by Assistant Regional Director for Operations; monitors regional jail incidents and evaluates response effectiveness
Penalty Clause
- Mandatory compliance with policy
- Violations subject to administrative disciplinary action per 2017 BJMP Administrative Disciplinary Machinery
- Major incidents during heightened alerts viewed as aggravating circumstances
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect remaining valid provisions
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent circulars or issuances are rescinded or modified
Effectivity
- Circular effective 15 days from filing a copy at the University of the Philippines Law Center as mandated by Executive Order No. 292 (Revised Administrative Code of 1987)