GENERAL PROCEDURES

Regardless of the type of function to be performed and/or police operations to be conducted, all
PNP personnel must know by heart and shall comply and apply the following procedures:

Rule 1. POLICE BLOTTER

Each PNP operating unit shall maintain an official police blotter where all types of operational
and undercover dispatches shall be recorded containing the five “Ws” (who, what, where, when and
why) and one “H”(how) of an information.

A police blotter is a logbook that contains the daily registry of all crime incident reports, official
summaries of arrest, and other significant events reported in a police station. A separate Police Blotter,
however, shall be maintained for crime incident reports involving violence against women and children
and those cases involving a child in conflict with the law to protect their privacy pursuant to Republic Act
Number (R.A. No.) 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004) and R.A. No. 9344

(Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006), respectively. (Specifications of the police blotter shall be
provided by the concerned PNP office).

Rule 2. POLICE UNIFORM

All members of the police force reporting for duty shall wear the authorized and prescribed
uniform. A police officer shall, at all times, appear presentable, smart and well-groomed before the
public.

Rule 3. POLICE NOTEBOOK AND PEN

Every police officer, either on board a mobile car, motorcycle or on foot patrol must always carry
with him a police notebook, a pen and the Miranda Warning card. The notebook, which is approximately
pocket-sized, will be used to inscribe important events that transpire during his tour of duty.

Rule 4. INTER-UNIT COORDINATION

Team Leaders (TL) of Local Police Units operating outside their territorial jurisdiction and
National Support Units (NSUs) shall coordinate, personally or through an official representative, with the
Police Office within whose jurisdiction the operation shall be conducted. Prior to the launching of the
operation, except in cases where the formal (in writing) inter-unit coordination cannot be made due to
the nature and/or urgency of the situation such as, but not limited to, cross jurisdictional pursuit
operations, coordination should be made formally using the prescribed Coordination Form (Form “A” -
Annexes).

Under the Rules of Court, a police officer acting as witness on a case may glance at his notebook
to refresh his memory during court hearings. In cases where formal inter-unit coordination is not
feasible, the Police Unit concerned shall endeavour to notify the territorial police office through any
practical/available means of communication at any time during the operation and, if not possible, shall
accomplish and furnish the territorial Police Office a written incident report immediately after the
termination of the operation.
Rule 5. BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF POLICE INTERVENTION OPERATIONS

All police intervention operations (arrest, raid, search and seizure, checkpoint, demolition, civil
disturbance management) shall be conducted:

a. with a marked police vehicle;

b. preferably led by a Police Commissioned Officer (PCO); and

c. with personnel in prescribed police uniform.

Rule 6. WARNING BY USE OF MEGAPHONES

During actual police intervention operations, the TL shall use peaceful means including the use of
megaphones or any other similar instruments to influence/warn the offenders/suspects to stop and/or
peacefully give up.

Rule 7. WARNING SHOTS

The police shall not use warning shots during police interventions.

Rule 8. USE OF FORCE

SECTION 1. Issuance of Warning

The police officer must first issue a warning before he could use force against an offender. The
warning is issued for the police officer to identify himself and to give opportunity to the offender to
surrender. The duty to issue a warning is however not absolute. The directive to issue a warning is
necessary only in situations where several options are still available to the police officer but in cases
where the threat to the life of a police officer is already imminent, and there is no other option but to
use force to subdue the offender, the law enforcer’s failure to issue a warning is excusable.

SECTION 2. Reasonable Force

During an armed confrontation, only such necessary and reasonable force should be applied as
would be sufficient to overcome resistance put up by the offender; subdue the clear and imminent
danger posed by him; or to justify the force/act under the principles of self defense, defense of relative,
or defense of stranger. The Officer-in-Charge of the operation shall, at all times, exercise control over his
men in the area, and shall exhaust all possible means so that no innocent civilian is caught in the
crossfire.

The reasonableness of the force employed will depend upon the number of aggressor, nature
and characteristic of the weapon used, physical condition, size and other circumstances to include the
place and occasion of the assault. A police officer, however, is not required to afford a person attacking
him the opportunity for a fair or equal struggle. His duty requires him to overcome his opponent. In the
lawful performance of his duty, the police officer must stand his ground to accomplish his mandated
task of enforcing the law and maintenance of peace and order.

SECTION 3. Use of Weapon

 The excessive use of force is prohibited. The use of weapon is justified if the suspect poses
imminent danger of causing death or injury to the police officer or other persons. The use of weapon is
also justified under the Doctrines of Self-Defense, Defense of Relative, and Defense of Stranger.
However, one who resorts to self-defense must face a real threat on his life, and the peril sought to be
avoided must be actual, imminent and real. Moreover, unlawful aggression should be present for self-
defense to be considered as justifying circumstance.

SECTION 4. Reportorial Requirements

Rule 9. MOVING VEHICLES

A moving vehicle shall not be fired upon except when its occupants pose imminent danger of
causing death or injury to the police officer or any other person, and that the use of firearm does not
create a danger to the public and outweighs the likely benefits of its non-use.

In firing upon a moving vehicle, the following parameters should be considered:

a. the intent of the fleeing suspect/s to harm the police officer or other persons;

b. the capability of the fleeing suspect/s to harm in certainty the police officer or other persons; and

c. accessibility or the proximity of the fleeing suspect/s with the police officer and other persons.

Rule 10. THINGS TO BE DONE AFTER AN ARMED CONFRONTATION

Immediately after an armed confrontation, the Officer-in-Charge shall:

a. Secure the site of confrontation;

b. Take photographs;

c. Check whether the situation still poses imminent danger;

d. Evacuate the wounded to the nearest hospital;

e. Ensure that all persons who died on the spot are not moved from their original position. Arrested
suspects, on the other hand, should be kept in isolation;

f. Conduct debriefing on all involved PNP operatives; and

g. Submit After-Operations Report.

Rule 11. INVESTIGATION BY THE TERRITORIAL UNIT CONCERNED

The Police Unit which has territorial jurisdiction over the area where the armed confrontation
occurred shall immediately undertake the necessary investigation and processing of the scene of the
encounter. The Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) team shall conduct Crime Scene Processing upon
request. In cases of armed confrontation wherein a suspect dies, the TL of the operating unit shall
submit the incident for inquest before the duty Inquest Prosecutor prior to the removal of the body
from the scene except in areas where there are no Inquest Prosecutors. In which case, the territorial
police unit can proceed with the investigation.

BASIC PROCEDURES
Rule 12. PATROL PROCEDURES

SECTION 1. Duties and Responsibilities of Patrol Officers

a. Attend the Roll Call Formation before his Tour of Duty for briefing and likewise attend the after Tour
of Duty formation for debriefing;

b. Patrol the assigned beats, observe and check suspicious people, structures/buildings, compounds and
vehicles;

c. Respond to calls, entertain complaints, initiate the investigation and protection of the scene and
minimize the after effects of accidents, fires and other catastrophes;

d. Observe and monitor public gatherings, prevent disorders and disperse unlawful assemblies;

e. Prevent crimes and arrest sighted law violators, assuring the public that peace is preserved;

f. Inspect and/or conduct surveillance in various places of business establishments and other installation
and remove hazards to public safety;

g. Assist personnel of responsible agencies/unit in facilitating the flow of traffic at busy

intersections/roads within his Area of Responsibility (AOR), assist and provide pedestrian information
such as directions and street locations;

h. Conduct home visitations when circumstances warrants, ugnayans /dialogues with the residents in
their beat;

i. Report occurrences and conditions which relate to crime, public peace, order and safety;

j. Enforce city/municipal ordinances on liquor establishments and night clubs, cabarets and all houses of
ill-reputes; and

k. Check suspicious vehicles (private, public, or commercial/delivery vehicles) along the highways in the
course of their patrol.

l. Patrol Officers shall wear the prescribed patrol uniform.

m. Patrol Officers must have the equipment necessary in the performance of their duty.

SECTION 2. Duties of Patrol Supervisors

a. In any operation, careful planning is a must in order to avoid waste of time, effort and resources.
Make a patrol plan with the following details:

1) Area Coverage: safe haven, ambush areas and crime prone areas

2) Organizational Detail of Personnel

3) Duration

4) Stand-by points
5) Route plan

b. Designate and select the members of the patrol team/s.

c. Inspect the members of the patrol on the completeness of the uniforms, availability of personnel, and
operational readiness of personnel and equipment.

d. Conduct briefing, prior to dispatch, on the priority of activities to be undertaken during the patrol as
the situation demands; remind the patrol on the strict observance of the PNP Operational Procedures.

e. Render hourly report of location and situation through radio/ telephone to Police Community Precinct
(PCP)/Station Headquarters Tactical Operation Center (TOC).

f. Render after-patrol report duly signed by detailed personnel. PCP Commanders shall collate and
submit significant details to the Station Patrol Supervisor, who in turn, will submit the same to the
Provincial/District Patrol Supervisor.

g. Strictly observe “Buddy System” during the patrol operations.

h. Conduct debriefing after the patrol to assess its conduct and make necessary corrective measures on
defects noted.

SECTION 3. Patrol Guidelines

a. Observe precautionary measures and personal safety while on patrol.

b. Practice defensive driving and follow traffic rules and regulations.

c. Select routes which provide best visibility.

d. Be observant of people, places, situations or conditions and develop a suspicious attitude especially if
the subject appears to be slightly out of the ordinary.

e. Use tact and persuasiveness when conducting spot inquiry or questioning individuals for information.

f. When requiring a suspicious person or any individual for identification, avoid taking the wallet or bag
in which the cards/documents are placed. Let the individual remove and hand them to you.

g. Be familiar, as much as possible, with known criminals/exconvicts residing in or frequenting the patrol
beat.

h. Be on the alert for loiters.

i. Keep under close observation actions of juveniles, trouble makers/agitators and the mentally
ill/retarded persons.

j. Observe the practice of “shaking doors” of unguarded business establishments during night patrol.
Check for signs of intrusion.

k. When checking suspicious persons, places, buildings/establishments and vehicles especially during
night-time, be prepared to use your service firearm. Flashlight should be held tightly away from the
body to avoid making you a possible target.

l. Be familiar with stay-in employees of business establishments in your beat.

m. Establish good rapport with the people in your beat.

n. Keep watch of uninhabited homes.

o. Patrol members should avoid loitering in theaters, restaurants and other recreational places.

p. Develop contacts by getting to know as many people as possible who can give factual information
about crime condition in the patrol beat.

q. Patrol members must be always on the look-out for indications of vices and other illegal activities in
their beat.

r. Patrol members must be knowledgeable of all conditions, events and details of places in their beat.

SECTION 4. Guidelines and Procedures when Responding to Calls for Police Assistance

a. Gather and note down in your patrol logbook all available data as to the nature of the calls, date, time
and name of the caller. It may be regular, urgent or emergency in nature.

b. In all cases, the driver of the mobile patrol should avoid reckless driving.

c. The manner of approach will be dependent on the nature of the call either with haste/secrecy or
with/without flashing lights and sirens.

d. Consider the pertinent factors like the time, condition of traffic, the possibility of greater damage and
the neighbourhood characteristics.

e. Stop the car at some distance away from the scene.

f. Approach the scene on foot in complete silence and exercising extreme caution.

g. Immediately attend to the injured unless the other members of the patrol are in immediate danger.

h. Focus all efforts to arrest criminals; however, priority shall be given to aiding the injured.

i. Determine the crime committed, identify and question briefly the victim/complainant and possible
witnesses at the scene.

j. When the suspects or criminals have fled the scene before your arrival, immediately relay the
composition, armament, appearance, and mode and direction of escape of the suspects to the Tactical
Operation Center (TOC) for the conduct of dragnet operations.

k. When responding to street fights/brawls, the patrol member should call for back-up before
intervening. If there are no injuries and insufficient corroborative statements obtained to identify who
started the fight, disperse the crowd and make complete notes.

l. Never treat calls or complaints of loud noises caused by barking dogs, drunks, appliances and parties
as negligible or a nuisance. They only need courteous and tactful intervention and not enforcement
actions.

m. When responding to call for police assistance due to planted or found explosives, never attempt to
handle, move or lift the object. Instead contact TOC and request for Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team
(EODT). On-lookers must be promptly led to a safe distance.

n. When responding to calls from owners of beer houses, bars or inns or any other similar
establishments during night time, request the owner to put the lights on first before entering the
establishments.
o. Do not attempt to arbitrate and resolve conflicts/differences between neighbors, landlords/tenants,
husband and wife. However, you should allow both sides to tell their stories.

SECTION 5. Protecting and Preserving the Crime Scene

a. Respond as soon as possible. Record the time of arrival, weather condition and situation at the crime
scene, and if possible, take photographs of the scene and its immediate vicinity.

b. Establish the police lines and exclude unauthorized persons from the scene.

c. Avoid touching or stepping on anything that may represent evidence.

d. Check and protect adjacent areas from the scene where firearms, footprints, dropped articles and
bloodstains could be found.

e. Look for the presence of bloodstains and other body fluids.

f. Turn over all initial information and pieces of evidence gathered to the responding investigation
unit/elements.

Rule 13. SPOT CHECKS /ACCOSTING AND PAT-DOWN SEARCHES

SECTION 1. Grounds for Spot Check/Accosting

The police officer may stop an individual for the purpose of conducting a spot check/accosting
only when reasonable suspicion exists. Reasonable suspicion must be more than just a hunch or feeling.
In justifying the stop, the police officer must be able to point to specific facts that, when taken together
with rational inferences, reasonably warrant the stop. Such facts include, but are not limited to, the
following:

a. The appearance or demeanor of the individual suggests that he is part of a criminal enterprise or is
engaged in a criminal act;

b. The actions of the individual suggest that he is engaged in a criminal activity;

c. Questionable presence of the individual in the area;

d. The subject is carrying a suspicious object;

e. The suspect’s clothing bulges in a manner that suggests he is carrying a weapon;

f. The suspect has been found in the time and place proximate to an alleged crime;

g. The police officer has knowledge of the suspect’s prior criminal record or involvement in criminal
activity; and

h. The individual flees at the sight of a police officer.

SECTION 2. Procedures and Guidelines for Spot Checks/Accosting

a. When approaching the individual, the police officer shall clearly identify himself as a police officer. If
not in uniform, by announcing his identity and displaying official identification card and/or badge.
b. Police officers shall be courteous at all times but maintain caution and vigilance for suspicious
movements like tending to retrieve weapon, conceal or discard contraband, or other similar actions.

c. Before approaching more than one individual, police officers should determine whether the
circumstances warrant a request for back-up and whether the spot check/accosting can and should be
delayed until such back-up arrives.

d. Police officers shall confine their questions as to suspect’s identity, place of residence, and other
inquiries necessary to resolve the police officer’s suspicion. However, in no instance shall a police officer
hold a suspect longer than the period reasonably necessary to be able to make these limited inquiries
and to resolve suspicions.

e. Police officers are not required to give the suspect Miranda Warning unless the person is placed
under arrest.

SECTION 3. Grounds for Body Frisk/Pat-Down Search

A police officer has the right to perform a pat-down search if the individual has been legitimately
stopped with reasonable suspicion and when the police officer has reason to believe that the individual
possesses weapon/s on his person and poses a threat to the police officer’s or another person’s safety.
Circumstances which may justify pat-down search:

a. The type of crime believed to be committed by the subject –particularly crimes of violence where the
threat of use or use of deadly weapon is involved;

b. Where the police officer handles several suspects;

c. The time of the day and the location where the pat-down search took place;

d. Prior knowledge by the police officer of the suspect’s use of force and/or propensity to carry deadly
weapons;

e. The appearance and demeanor of the suspect;

f. Visual indications suggesting that the suspect is carrying a firearm or other deadly weapon; and

g. Whenever possible, pat-down searches should be performed by police officers of the same gender.

SECTION 4. Procedures for Pat-Down Search

When reasonable suspicion justifies a pat-down search, the search should be performed with
due caution, restraint, and sensitivity. Pat-down searches should be conducted in the following manner:

a. Whenever possible, pat-down searches should be conducted by at least two (2) police officers, one to
perform the search while the other provides protective cover.

b. Because pat-down searches are cursory in nature, they should be performed with the suspect in a
standing position, or with hands placed against a stationary object, and feet spread apart. However,
should an officer visually observe a weapon, a more secure search position may be used like the prone
(lying face down) position.
c. In a pat-down search, officers are permitted only to feel the outer clothing of the suspect. Police
officers may not place their hands inside the pockets of the subject’s clothing unless they feel an object
that could probably be a weapon, such as a gun, knife, club, or the likes.

d. If the suspect is carrying an object such as handbag, suitcase, briefcase, sack, or other similar items
that may conceal a weapon, the police officer should not open the item but instead put it in a place out
of the suspect’s reach.

e. If the external patting of the suspect’s clothing fails to disclose evidence of a weapon, no further
search may be made. If a weapon is found and the possession of which amounts to a violation of the
law, the police officer shall arrest the suspect and conduct a complete search.

SECTION 5. Reporting after the Spot Check/Accosting or Pat-Down Search

If after conducting a spot check/accosting or pat-down search, the police officer has no basis for
making an arrest, he should record the facts of such spot check/accosting or pat-down search and
forward a report to the appropriate authority. If the spot check/accosting or pat-down search gives a
justification for a valid warrantless arrest, then an arrest shall be made.

Rule 14. ARREST

SECTION 1. Arrest

All arrests should be made only on the basis of a valid Warrant of Arrest issued by a competent
authority, except in instances where the law allows warrantless arrest. No violence or unnecessary force
shall be used in making an arrest, and the person to be arrested shall not be subjected to any greater
restraint than what is necessary under the circumstances.

SECTION 2. Warrant of Arrest

a. Who Issues a Warrant of Arrest

Only judges are authorized to issue Warrants of Arrest and Search Warrants.

b. Commitment Order in lieu of Warrant of Arrest

A Warrant of Arrest is no longer needed if the accused is already under detention. An Order of
Commitment is issued by the judge in lieu of the

Warrant of Arrest.

c. Immunity from Arrest

The following are immune from arrest:

1) A Senator or Member of the House of the

Representatives while Congress is in session for an offense punishable by not more than six years

of imprisonment.

2) Diplomatic Agents, Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Under Section 4 of R.A. No. 75, any writ or process sued out or prosecuted by any person in any court of
the Republic of the Philippines, or by any judges or justice, whereby the person of any ambassador or
public minister of any foreign state, authorized and received as such by the President, or any domestic
or domestic servant of any such ambassador or minister is arrested or imprisoned is void, and every
person by whom the same is obtained or prosecuted, whether as party or as attorney, and every officer
concerned in executing it is, upon conviction, “punished by imprisonment of not more than three years
and a fine not exceeding two hundred pesos in the discretion of the court.”

SECTION 3. Implementation of Warrant of Arrest

The head of the office to whom the warrant of arrest has been delivered for implementation shall cause
the warrant to be implemented within ten (10) days from receipt. Within ten (10) days after the
expiration of such period, the police officer to whom it was assigned for implementation shall make a
report to the judge who issued the warrant and in case of his failure to implement the same, shall state
the reasons thereof.

SECTION 4. Time of Arrest

As a general rule, arrests should be made on any day of the week and at any time of the day or
night.

Section 5. Procedures in Serving Warrant of Arrest

a. Verify the validity of the warrant and request for an authenticated copy from the issuing court ;

b. In serving the warrant, the police officer should introduce himself and show proper identification;

c. Make a manifestation of authority against the person to be arrested;

d. If refused entry, the police officer may break into any residence, office, building, and other structure
where the person to be arrested is in or is reasonably believed to be in, after announcing his purpose;

e. The police officer need not have a copy of the warrant in his possession at the time of the arrest. If
the person arrested so requires, the warrant shall be shown to the arrested person as soon as possible;

f. Secure the person to be arrested;

g. Conduct thorough search for weapons and other illegal materials on the person arrested and
surroundings within his immediate control;

h. Inform the person to be arrested of his rights under the Miranda Doctrine.

i. No unnecessary force shall be used in making an arrest;

j. Confiscated evidence shall be properly documented;

k. Bring the arrested person to the Police Station for documentation;

l. Make a Return of Warrant to the court of origin (Form “B” - Annexes); and

m. Deliver the arrested person to jail/prison upon the issuance of a commitment order of the court.

SECTION 6. Duties of the Arresting Officer

a. It shall be the duty of the police officer implementing the Warrant of Arrest to deliver the arrested
person without delay to the nearest Police Station or jail to record the fact of the arrest;

b. At the time of the arrest, it shall be the duty of the arresting officer to inform the person arrested of
the cause of the arrest and the fact that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. The arresting officer
need not have the warrant in his possession at the time of the arrest but after the arrest, if the person
arrested so requires, the warrant shall be shown to him as soon as possible;

c. In case of arrest without a warrant, it shall be the duty of the arresting officer to inform the person to
be arrested of his authority and the cause of the arrest except when he flees or forcibly resists before
the arresting officer has the opportunity to inform him or when the giving of such information will
imperil the arrest;

d. The person arrested, with or without warrant, shall be informed of his constitutional right to remain
silent and that any statement he makes could be used against him. Also, that he has the right to
communicate with his lawyer or his immediate family;

e. A person arrested without a warrant shall be immediately brought to the proper Police Station for
investigation without unnecessary delay. He shall be subjected to inquest proceedings within the time
prescribed in Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC);

f. No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiate the free will shall be
used against an arrested person. The bringing of arrested persons to secret detention places, solitary
confinement and the like is prohibited;

g. If the person arrested without a warrant waives his right under the provisions of Art 125 of the
Revised Penal Code, the arresting officer shall ensure that the former signs a waiver of detention in the
presence of his counsel of choice;

h. If the person arrested waives his right against self-incrimination and opts to give his statement, the
arresting officer shall ensure that the waiver is made in writing and signed by the person arrested in the
presence of a counsel of his own choice or a competent and independent counsel provided by the
government; and

i. Arrest of female person and child in conflict with the law is covered by a special procedure. Refer to
Rule 26 of this Manual.

30 31

SECTION 7. Authority Given to the Arresting Officer when Making an Arrest

a. Police officer may summon assistance – A police officer making a lawful arrest may verbally summon
as many persons as he deems necessary to assist him in effecting the arrest.

b. Right of a police officer to break into building or enclosure – A police officer in order to make an
arrest, with or without warrant, may break into building or enclosure where the person to be arrested is
or is reasonably believed to be, if he is refused admittance thereto after announcing his authority and
purpose.

c. Right to break out from building or enclosure – Whenever a police officer has entered the building or
enclosure to make an arrest, he may break out there from, when necessary, to liberate himself.

d. Arrest after escape or rescue – If a person lawfully arrested escapes or is rescued, any person may
immediately pursue to retake him without a warrant at any time and in any place within the Philippines.

SECTION 8. Arrest without a Warrant

A peace officer or a private person may, without a warrant, arrest a person:

a. When, in his presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is actually committing, or is
attempting to commit an offense;

b. When an offense has just been committed and he has probable cause to believe, based on personal
knowledge of facts or circumstances, that the person to be arrested has committed it; and

c. When the person to be arrested is a prisoner who has escaped from a penal establishment or place
where he is serving final judgment or temporarily confined while his case is pending, or has escaped
while being transferred from one confinement area to another.

SECTION 9. Procedures in Effecting Warrantless Arrest -

a. Freeze or restrain the suspect/s;

b. Make proper introduction as to identity and authority to arrest;

c. Inform the arrested person of the circumstances of his arrest and recite to him the Miranda Warning;

d. Conduct thorough search for weapons and other illegal materials;

e. As a general rule, no unnecessary force shall be used in making an arrest;

f. Confiscated evidence shall be properly documented;

g. Bring the arrested person to the Police Station for further investigation and disposition.

SECTION 10. Medical Examination of Arrested Person/Suspect

Before interrogation, the person arrested shall have the right to be informed of his right to demand
physical examination by an independent and competent doctor of his own choice. If he cannot afford
the services of a doctor of his own choice, he shall be provided by the State with a competent and
independent doctor to conduct physical examination. If the person arrested is female, she shall be
attended to preferably by a female doctor.

SECTION 11. Record Check

The investigating officer shall conduct a record check on the arrested person to determine the possibility
that the latter may be liable for any other crime.