EVOLUTION OF POLICING SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES

I. DEVELOPMENT OF POLICE SERVICE IN THE II. DEVELOPMENT OF POLICE SERVICE IN THE

PHILIPPINES DURING PRE-SPANISH/ PRE- PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH REGIME
COLONIAL ERA (Policing is tribal in nature)
The police force during the Spanish Regime was
Police primitively evolved from considered as part of the military system by the
the practice of different tribes Spanish government. The locally organized police
to select able-bodied young forces, although performing civil duties and seemingly
men to protect their villagers, created for the sole purpose of maintaining peace,
from depredations of wild were in fact directly commanded by the colonial
military government. Police forces organized during
animals which prey their crops
the Spanish regime were:
and livestock during night time.
Then as mankind multiplied, 1. Carabineros de
Seguridad Publico
the needs for protection
(Mounted Police-Riding
become greater, not only from on a Horse) was organized
animals, but also from their in 1712 for the purpose of
own kind. These circumstances carrying out the policies of
justified the formulation of the Spanish government.
police force. The practice of policing in the Philippines The members were armed
evolves from the culture and traditions of tribal with carbines as the names
Filipinos in protecting their interest as ethnic group. indicate. It was given the
Filipino tribes hold on to the orders given by their special commission by the
tribal leaders who make decision for the good and government as custodian of
benefit of the whole tribal community. Date back to tobacco monopoly, by royal
the early 15th century, tribal Filipinos rulers were decree of December 20,
1842, it was re-organized
called Datu, Pangat, Sultan, Raja, Hare, Gat and
and renamed Cuerpo de
others. They have their distinct way of protecting their
Carabineros de Seguridad Publica. Hence, its
interest and welfare. They were not united, although duties became police like and more general, which
their system of policing is of various forms, yet their were
objective is one.
a. the prosecution of law breakers and criminals,

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 EVOLUTION OF POLICING SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES

b. the maintenance of peace, order and security, and f. many other odd duties in town.
c. the vigilance in the execution of laws and
ordinances of good government. NOTA BENE: For all their services they were not
This general purpose, however, was later narrowed originally paid, although in the later years, the
down to ore specific duties of watching and guarding privates received P3.00 a month and the other non-
the custom commissioned grades in several provinces received a
houses, river sea coasts, tobacco, warehouses and the proportionate salary varying from P4.00 to P8.00
prevention of the entry of contraband. It discharged depending upon their revenues.
the duties of a port, harbor, and river police. 3. Guardia Civil
(Town Police) was
the police
2.
organization created
Guardrilleros
by the Royal Decree
(Rural Police)
issued by the
was a body of
Spanish Crown
rural police
government on
organized in
February 12, 1852. It
each town that
relieved the Spanish
was created by
Peninsular Troops of
the Royal Decree
their works in
of January 8,
policing towns. It consisted of a body of Filipino
1796. This police force was composed of 5% of the
policemen organized originally in each of the
able-bodied male inhabitants of each town or
provincial capitals of the central provinces of Luzon
province, and each member should serve for 3 years.
under the command of Alcalde (Govemor). This semi-
The duties of this local police were:
military police institution was armed as the Spanish
a. maintains public security and order in town by Infantry, very martial relieved the Spanish Peninsular
making patrol; troops of their works in policing towns. It consisted or
b, guard dark and unsafe places; a body of Filipino policemen organized originally in
c. guard the tribunals and prison houses; each of the provincial capitals of the central provinces
d. transfer prisoners; of Luzon under the command of Alcalde (Governor).
This semi-military police institution was armed as the
e. carry mails at times; and

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 EVOLUTION OF POLICING SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES

Spanish Infantry, very martial in appearance because Government of an Insular Constabulary". Capt. Henry
of its bright and showy uniform and distinctively T. Allen - first Chief.
prominent insignia, pius a rigidly maintained military
bearing. 3. Manila Police Department (MPD) was organized
on July 31, 1901 by virtue of Act No. 183 of the
III. American Military Regime (American Philippine Commission. The 1 Chief of Police was Capt.
Occupation) George Curry, a US Army officer appointed the TAFT
The First American occupation in the Philippines COMMISSION on August 7, 1901. Capt. Columbus Piatt
that come after the Filipino American War (1898 to was the last American COP of MPD before WW II broke
1901) was followed by a period of political turmoil and out in 1939 The Manila Police Department introduced
social imbalance. me bicycle patrol
1. Insular Police Force was established on
November 30, 1890 during the Filipino- American war
recommendation (1898-1901) upon the
recommendation of the Philippine Commission to the
Secretary of War.

2. Insular Constabulary was created on July 18,

1901 by virtue of Organic Act No. 175 law. titled
as "An Act Providing for the Organization and
NOTA BENE:
1941 - The Japanese Military Police (Kempetai) took
over MPD.
1945 - The MPD was reconstituted and placed under
American control. Col. Marcus Ellis Jones became
the Chief of Police.

4. On October 3, 1901, the Insular Constabulary was

changed to Philippine Constabulary (PC) by virtue

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 EVOLUTION OF POLICING SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES

of Act No. 255. Capt. Henry T. Allen was the 1st Chief IV. Development of Police Service in the
of the Philippine Constabulary. He was the PC Chief Philippines during the Japanese Occupation
from 1901 to 1907 such that he was called as the (1941-1945)
Father of Constabulary in the Philippines. The PC The Japanese occupation
was manned mostly by Filipinos but officers were of the Philippines had
mostly Americans. brought about terrors and
fears among Filipino people.
5. Revised Administrative Code of 1917 was approved The Japanese occupation
a year before World War I (August 1914 to November started on December 8,
1918) ended. In section 825 of this law, it stated that 1941. Enforcement of laws
the Philippine Constabulary is a national police was done by the Japanese
institution for preserving the peace, keeping order and Imperial Army, known as
enforcing the law. Brig/Gen. Rafael Crame became KEMPETAI.
the first Filipino Chief of Police. He served as the PC
Chief from 1917-1927. Kempetai were held
responsible in maintaining
6. On Jan 1, 1932 Act No. 3815 otherwise known as peace and order in Manila
the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines (RPC), took and adjacent urban areas.
effect. The main function of the Kempetai was the
identification, location and arrest of Filipino
guerillas including their supporters. The Kempetai
7. In November 1938, Act No. 181 required the was the most feared unit of the Japanese army
creation of a bureau of investigation. This agency because of their brutality in enforcing their functions.
should be the modification of the Division of They were usually helped by Filipino traitors who were
Investigation (DI) from the Department of Justice. made to identify guerillas and sympathizers while
Finally, on June 19, 1947, Republic Act No. 157 was their head were covered by a bag or cloth with
enacted which created the National Bureau of openings for their tier eyes. Kempetai ruled the urban
Investigation. areas until Gen. Douglas McArthur returned on
February 7, 1945.
The MANILA POLICE DEPARTMENT which created
during the first American occupation, was renamed

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 EVOLUTION OF POLICING SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES

into Metropolitan Constabulary under the Bureau POLCOM was created as a supervisory agency to the
of Constabulary. PC. Its function is to oversee the training and
professionalization of the local police forces. Through
V. Development of Police Service in the
this law, reformation and professionalization of the
Philippines after the world war II
police service gained official recognition.
1. In 1960, Republic Act No. 2678 was enacted and
5. Presidential Decree No. 448 provides for the
this law provided the expansion and reorganization of
Adjudication of Police Benefits and creating hearing
the NBI. This law established that the NBI is both an
officers in the NAPOLCOM.
investigative and research service agency.
6. On August 8, 1975, Presidential Decree No. 765
2. On Jan. 1, 1964, the Rules of Court took effect.
was enacted and stipulated that the office of the
This procedural law was construed in order to promote
NAPOLCOM should be under the office of the Ministry
the broad objective of the criminal justice system and
of National Defense. It defined also the relationship
to assist the parties in obtaining just, speedy, and
between the Integrated National Police and ire
inexpensive determination of every action and
Philippine Constabulary. Tis was in compliance with
proceeding.
the provisions of Section 12, Article 15 of the 1973
3. Section 2275, Book III, Title IX of the Revised Philippine Constitution.
Administrative Code of the Philippines, approved
7. Presidential Decree No. 1870- Providing the
on March 20, 1917, provides that the requirements of
Philippine National Police Academy with an academic
police service patrol Duty from male residents when
charter and expending its curricular
the province or municipality is infested without laws,
the mayor has the authority to hire able bodied male 8. Sec. 6, Art XVI and 21 Art. X, 1987 Philippine
residents of the municipality between the ages of 18 Constitution-
to 50 yrs. old.
Section 6. The State shall establish and maintain one
4. On September 18, 1966, Republic Act No. 4864 police force, which shall be national in scope and
otherwise known as "Police Act of 1966" was enacted. civilian in character, to be administered and controlled
The law created the office of the Police Commission by a national police commission. The authority of local
(which was later called National Police Commission) executives over the police units in their jurisdiction
under the Office of the President. Originally, the shall be provided by law.

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 EVOLUTION OF POLICING SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES

Section 21. The preservation of peace and order by the National Police Commission. This law declared
within the regions shall be the responsibility of the it to be the only police force of the country with
local police agencies which shall be organized national in scope απά civilian in character.
maintained supervised, and utilized in accordance
On February 17, 1998 during Fidel Ramos
with applicable laws. The defense and security of the
Administration, Republic Act no. 8551 entitled "The
regions shall be the responsibility of the National
Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization
Government
Act of 1998" was enacted to amend certain provisions
9. Republic Act No. 6040. It is otherwise known as of Republic Act no. 6975 for the purpose of reforming
Tolentino Law. It empowered the Police Commission to and professionalizing it. Under this Act, the PNP shall
give appropriate examinations to officers and be strengthen and shall evolve into a highly efficient
members of police force aimed at professionalizing and competent police force, that is community and
police services service oriented agency and fully accountable in the
performance of its function. To date this law governs
VI. The Birth of the Philippine National Police
the Philippine National Police Organization whose
(Corazon Aquino Administration)
intention is to provide effective and efficient police
The present Philippine National Police (PNP) was organization and professionalization of the
a result of the merger of the Philippine Constabulary performance of their functions.
and Integrated National Police, was activated on
On August 12, 2009, Republic Act No. 9708
January 29, 1991 The passage into law on December
was approved in to law extending for five (5) years the
13 1990 of Republic Act no. 6975
reglementary -period for complying with the minimum
Entitled “An act establishing the Philippine National educational qualification for appointment to the
Police under a reorganized Department of the Interior Philippine National Police (PNP) and adjusting the
and Local Government and other purposes” ended the promotion system.
existence of the Philippine constabulary and the
Important Personalities in the Historical
integrated National police and gave way to the
Evolution of Philippine Police Service
creation of the Philippine National Police, now known
as the country's police force that is National in scope 1. William Howard Taft - first civil governor of the
and Civilian Character It administered and controlled Philippines.

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 EVOLUTION OF POLICING SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES

2. Capt. George Curry -first Chief of Police of the

Manila Police Department.
3. Capt. Columbus E. Piatt- last American Chief of
Police of Manila Police Department before the World
War II broke out
4. Capt. Henry T. Allen -first Chief of Police of the
Philippine Constabulary.
5. Brig. Gen. Rafael Crame- became the first
Filipino Chief of Police of the Philippine Constabulary.
6. Col. Antonio C. Torres- first Filipino Chief of
Police of the Manila Police Department when it
became an all Filipino police organization.
7. Col. Marcus Ellis Jones - first Chief of Police of
the Manila Police Department upon the liberation of
Manila from the Japanese Imperial Army.
8. Col. Lamberto T. Jalavera - first Chief of Police of
Manila Police Department under the Republican
government of then President.