History and Organizational Structure

of the PNP Public Safety Forces

The History of the Police

Early Policing
Organized policing started in 1500s when night men or bantayans patrolled the streets of
Manila. The night men were under the direction of the alguacil mayor who provided them
with muskets as weapons and alarm bells as their means of communication. The
Carabineros de Seguridad Publica was organized in 1712 for the purpose of carrying
out laws of the Spanish government. Native Filipinos served up to the rank of sergeant
under the command of Spanish officers. It was the earlier version of mounted riflemen in
the history of the Philippine police system. In 1836, the Spanish colonial authorities
formed the Cuadrillo, a rural police force, to enforce peace in the countryside. Six years
later, its general function was assumed by the Cuerpo de Carabineros de Seguridad
Publica. In 1852, the notoriously dreaded Guardia Civil took over peacekeeping duties in
the islands under a Royal Decree. Guardia Civil in the provinces was composed mainly of
Filipinos who worked under the jurisdiction of the alcaldes or mayors. The capture of
General Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the First Philippine Republic, signaled the start of
the American occupation of the Philippines. Maintaining peace and order, particularly in
the countryside, remained the biggest problem of the Americans. The Americans failed to
subdue the followers of Aguinaldo like Gen. Macario Sakay. Hostilities continued in
Batangas, Mindoro, Cebu, Bohol and Samar. A military solution to the peace and order
problem was ruled, hence, the birth of the Philippine Constabulary.

The Insular Force

The Philippine Constabulary, the Insular Force in
1901 functioned as a military organization. As an
Insular Police Force, the officers of the
Constabulary carried the civilian title of
inspector. Its peacekeeping duty was limited to
areas where military rule had been lifted.

The Rise of the Communist Party of the Philippines

The Philippine Constabularys attempt to maintain peace and order
did not end with the decimation of the Huks. On December 26,
1968, Jose Maria Sison, a Political Science student at the
University of the Philippines, founded the Communist Party of the
Philippines. The communist ideology spread through a small
discussion group called Kabataan Makabayan organized by Sison
and his colleagues in the middle sixties. Sison then rose to become
the leader of the CPP and organized the military wing of the

CPP, the New Peoples Army. In 1966 RA No. 4864, (Otherwise

known as the Police act of 1966) was established .Its policemen
were recruited and appointed by the mayors.

Duties of policemen
All members of the police agency shall be officers. It shall be their duty to:
a. preserve peace and order
b. prevent the commission of crimes
c. protect life, liberty and property
d. arrest all violators of laws and ordinances within their jurisdiction.
e. Exercise the general powers to make arrest, searches and seizures in
accordance with law
f. Detain an arrested person only within the period prescribed by law
On August 8, 1975, Pres. Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 765
establishing the Integrated National Police with the Philippine Constabulary as the
nucleus and all police officers as components. They were all placed under the
supervision of the Ministry of National Defense.
The Jurisdiction of the Integrated National Police is as follows:
a. Responsible for public safety
b. Protection of lives and properties
c. Enforcement of laws and maintenance of peace and order within
territorial limits of the Philippines

It has the power to:

1. Prevent Crimes
2. Effect and Arrest of Criminal Offenders
3. Provide for them detention and rehabilitation
4. Take necessary measures to prevent and
control lives
5. Investigate the Commission of all crimes and
offenses
6. Bring the Offenders to justice
7. Take all necessary step to ensure public safety

The 1987 Philippine Constitution

Article 11(Section 5)
Declaration of Principles and state policies-
The maintenance of peace and order, the
protection of life, liberty and property and
promotion of the general welfare are essential
for enjoyment by the people of the blessing of
democracy.

Article XVI (Section 6)

The state shall establish and maintain one
Police force, which shall be national in scope
and civilian in character, to be administered and
controlled by a National Police Commission. The
authority of the local executives over the Police
units in their jurisdiction shall be provided by law.

History of RPSB and PPSC

The Integrated National Police which was
established under PD 765 has the INP FIELD
FORCE which was dedicated to address the
insurgency problem during those times. They were
completely detached from the police stations,
organized according to companies and platoons
and in areas where the influence of the CPP known
to be strong. Later with enactment of RA 6975
otherwise known as the PNP Law, the Regional
Mobile Group or RMG and the Provincial Police
Mobile Group or PPMG were established.

The RPSB Mandate

Each Regional Police Office authorized to
maintain one Regional Public Safety Battalion to:
Conduct internal security and counter terrorism
operations
Respond to crisis situation which extends beyond
the capabilities of the Police Provincial Offices
Conduct rescue and relief operations anywhere in
the region/nationwide.

The PPSC Mandate

Each Police Provincial Office shall be authorized to
maintain one (1) one Provincial Public Safety Company
to:
Conduct internal security and counter terrorism
operations
Respond to crisis situation extending beyond the
capabilities of the police stations
Conduct rescue and relief operations anywhere in the
province/nationwide.

The Establishment of the Philippine National Police

The Peoples Revolution of 1986 saw the birth of the
1987 Constitution that included a provision on the PNP
which was to be national in scope and civilian in
character.
In 1991, the Philippine National Police was created with
the passage of Republic Act No. 6975, otherwise
known as the Department of the Interior and Local
Government Act of 1990.
On January 29, 1991, the Philippine Constabulary and
the Integrated National Police were retired and the
Philippine National Police was born.

PNP Mission:
To enforce the law
to prevent and control crimes
to maintain peace and order, and
to ensure public safety and internal security with the active support of
the community.
Video Presentation : PNP History
See the PNP organizational structure below and identify its
parts.Where is the RPSB and PPSC located in this organization chart?
1. Basis of 1987 Constitution? 1986 Revolution.
2. When was PC/INP retired? January 29, 1991.
3. When was PNP founded? January 29, 1991.
4. What is the PNP Mission?
As members of the RPSB/PPSC, are you relevant in the PNP
organization?