Purpose
- Establishes policy, directives, guidelines, and procedures
- Ensures strict observance of PNP human rights standards
- Specifically prohibits torture, hazing, and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading acts in police training and functions
Definition of Key Terms
- Torture: Intentional infliction of severe physical, psychological, or pharmacological pain or suffering under PNP supervision (per RA 9745 and RA 9851)
- Hazing: Physical or psychological maltreatment required as a prerequisite for admission or completion in PNP training (per RA 8049)
- Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment: Deliberate aggravated punishment including discrimination inflicted by superior officers during police training (per RA 9745 and RA 9851)
- Police Training: Mandatory education and training courses implemented by the PNP
- Police Functions: Operational and administrative tasks performed by PNP personnel
- Neglect of Duty/Failure to Exercise Command Responsibility: Failure of a superior officer to prevent or correct violations when aware (EO 226, 1995)
- Immediate Officer: Police commissioned officer with direct control over personnel when violation occurs
Policy Provisions
- Full compliance with national and international human rights laws and treaties
- Use of scientifically proven, human rights-compliant methods in police education and functions
- Strict prohibition against torture, hazing, and other cruel acts during training and all police activities
- Thorough, impartial investigation and appropriate sanctioning of personnel accused of such acts
- Application of command responsibility to hold superiors accountable
- Immediate relief of officers who fail to act within 24 hours after knowledge of violations
- Pre-charge evaluation for officers presumed to know of violations for neglect of duty
- Immediate relief of officers responsible after three incidents of human rights violations under their command, alongside administrative charges
Guidelines for Implementation
- Regional Directors (RDs), Police Directors (PDs), Chiefs of Police (COPs), and others to support Human Rights Officers in implementing human rights programs
- Conduct human rights education, information drives, and training for police personnel
- Immediate restriction of personnel accused of violations pending investigation
- Provision of security or protection to complainants and witnesses in violation cases until inclusion in the government witness protection program
- Full cooperation with Commission on Human Rights or Congress inquiries into torture or hazing cases
- Coordination with other agencies (CHR, DSWD, DOH, PNP Women and Children Protection Center) when victims are women, children, or minors
Rescission of Inconsistent Policies
- All previous PNP directives inconsistent with this circular are rescinded or modified accordingly
Effectivity
- Circular is effective immediately upon approval (April 19, 2011)