POLICE

OPERATIONAL
PROCEDURE

PSUPT ANTONIO C PAULITE

II,Ph
PROVINCIAL SUPERINTENDENT
RIZAL, PIAS
 OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

RULE 4. PRE-OPERATIONAL CLEARANCE

No police operation shall be conducted
without the approval of the
Chief/Commander/Head of the concerned
Police Unit/Office. A pre-operational clearance
shall be filed by the Team Leader of the
operating team/s prior to the conduct of the
operation and shall be approved by the
concerned Police Unit Commander. This
clearance shall be submitted to the operations
section/division of the concerned police unit for
record purposes.
RULE 5. INTER-UNIT COORDINATION

5.1 Personal Coordination or by Official

Representative

Team Leader/s (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 Regional, Provincial or City Police Office
within whose jurisdiction the operation is to be
conducted.
5.2 Coordination by Filing Coordination Form

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, which shall be filed
with the concerned operation center of the Police
Regional, Provincial or City Office (Annex “A” –
Coordination Form).
5.3 Coordination by Practical/Available Means of
Communication

In cases where formal inter-unit coordination is

not feasible, the Police Unit concerned shall
endeavor to notify the territorial police office
through any practical/available means of
communication at anytime 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 6. REQUIREMENTS OF POLICE OPERATIONS

6.1 Basic Requirements

Police operations like arrest, search and

seizure, checkpoint, roadblocks, demolition and
civil disturbance management shall be conducted
as follows:

a. With a marked police vehicle;

b. Led by a Police Commissioned Officer (PCO);
and
c. With personnel in prescribed police uniform or
attire.
6.2 Use of Megaphones and Similar Instruments

During actual police intervention operations,

the Team Leader shall use peaceful means
including the use of megaphones or any other
similar instruments to warn or influence the
offender/s or suspect/s to stop and/or peacefully
give up.

6.3 Warning Shots Prohibited

The police shall not use warning shots during

police intervention operations.
RULE 7. USE OF FORCE DURING POLICE OPERATIONS

7.1 Use of Excessive Force Prohibited

The excessive use of force during police

operation is prohibited. However, in the lawful
performance of duty, a police officer may use
necessary force to accomplish his mandated tasks
of enforcing the law and maintaining peace and
order.
7.2 Issuance of Verbal Warning

The police officer must first issue a verbal warning

before he could use force against an offender. As far as
practicable, the verbal warning shall be in the dialect
that is known to the offender or in the national
language. Basically the verbal warning shall consist of
the following: the police officer identifying himself; his
intention; and what he wants the offender to do. If the
offender is a foreigner, the verbal warning shall be done
in the English language followed by a demonstrative act
of the police officer’s intent. The verbal warning shall be
done in a loud and clear manner.
7.3 Non-Issuance of Verbal Warning When
Excusable

The failure to issue a verbal warning is excusable

in cases where threat to life or property is already
imminent, and there is no other option but to use force
to subdue the offender.

7.4 Use of Non-Lethal Weapon

When suspect is violent or threatening, and that

less physical measures have been tried and deemed
inappropriate, a more extreme, but non-deadly measure
can be used such as baton/truncheon, pepper spray,
stun gun and other nonlethal weapon to bring the
suspect under control, or effect an arrest.
7.5 Application of Necessary and Reasonable
Force

During confrontation with an armed offender, only

such necessary and reasonable force should be applied
as would be sufficient to overcome the 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.
7.6 Factors to Consider in the Reasonableness of
the Force Employed

A police officer, however, is not required to afford

offender/s attacking him the opportunity for a fair or
equal struggle. The reasonableness of the force
employed will depend upon the number of aggressors,
nature and characteristic of the weapon used, physical
condition, size and other circumstances to include the
place and occasion of the assault. The police officer is
given the sound discretion to consider these factors in
employing reasonable force.
7.7 Responsibility of the Police Officer in Charge
of the Operation

The police officer who is in charge of the operation

shall, at all times, exercise control over all police
personnel in the area of operation, and shall exhaust all
possible means to apply the necessary and reasonable
force to protect lives and properties during armed
confrontation.
RULE 8. USE OF FIREARM DURING POLICE
OPERATIONS

8.1 Use of Firearm When Justified

The use of firearm is justified if the offender poses

imminent danger of causing death or injury to the police
officer or other persons. The use of firearm is also
justified under the doctrines of self-defense, defense of
a relative, and defense of a 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. Unlawful aggression should be
present for self-defense to be considered as a justifying
circumstance.
8.2 Firing at Moving Vehicles Prohibited But with
Exceptions

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.
8.3 Parameters to be Considered in Firing at
Moving Vehicles

In firing at a moving vehicle, the following

parameters should be considered:

a. The intent of the suspect/s to harm the police officer

or other persons;
b. The capability of the suspect/s to harm with certainty
the police officer or other persons; and
c. Accessibility or the proximity of the suspect/s from the
police officer and other persons.
8.4 Filing of an Incident Report After the Use of
Firearm

A police officer who fires his service firearm or

weapon during a confrontation with an offender or
offenders must submit an incident report outlining the
circumstances necessitating the use of his firearm.

8.5 Procedures After an Armed Confrontation

Immediately after an armed confrontation, the

officer who is in charge of the operation 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;
f. Arrested suspects should be kept in isolation;
g. Conduct debriefing on all involved PNP operatives;
h. Submit After-Operations Report; and
i. Ensure psychological stress counseling for all involved
PNP operatives.
RULE 10. SPOT CHECKS/ACCOSTING AND PAT-
DOWN SEARCHES

10.1 Grounds for Spot Check/Search

a. 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:
(1) The appearance or demeanor of the individual
suggests that he is part of a criminal enterprise or
is engaged in a criminal act;
(2) The actions of the individual suggest that he is
engaged in a criminal activity;
(3) Questionable presence of the individual in the area;
(4) The subject is carrying a suspicious object;
(5) The suspect’s clothing bulges in a manner that
suggests he is carrying a weapon;
(6) The suspect has been found in the time and
place proximate to an alleged crime;
(7) The police officer has knowledge of the suspect’s
prior criminal record or involvement in criminal
activity; and
(8) The individual flees at the sight of a police officer.
b. 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:

(1) 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;
(2) Where the police officer handles several suspects;
(3) The time of the day and the location where the pat
down search took place;
(4) Prior knowledge by the police officer of the suspect’s
use of force and/or propensity to carry deadly
weapons;
(5) The appearance and demeanor of the suspect;
(6) Visual indications suggesting that the suspect is
carrying a firearm or other deadly weapon; and
(7) Whenever possible, pat-down searches should be
performed by police officers of the same gender.

10.2 Procedures and Guidelines

a. Spot Check/Accosting

(1) When approaching the individual, the police

officer shall clearly identify himself as a police
officer. If not in uniform, the police officer must
 identify himself by announcing his identity and
displaying official identification card and/or badge.
(2) Police officers shall be courteous at all times but
maintain caution and remain vigilant for suspicious
movements like attempting to retrieve weapon,
conceal or discard contraband, or other similar
actions.
(3) 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.
(4) Police officers shall confine their questions as to the
person’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 person longer than the period
reasonably necessary to be able to make these
limited inquiries and to resolve suspicions.
(5) Police officers are not required to inform the person
of his rights under the law (i.e. Miranda Warning,
Anti-torture law, etc.) unless the person is placed
under arrest.
b. Body Frisk/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:

(1) 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.
(2) 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.

(3) 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 like.
(4) If the suspect is carrying an object such as a
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.
(5) 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 of his person.

10.3 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 11. CHECKPOINTS

11.1 Authority to Establish Checkpoints

Checkpoint is a place where the police check

vehicular/pedestrian traffic in order to enforce circulation
control measure and other laws, orders, and regulations.
The establishment of checkpoints must always be
authorized by the Head of Office of the territorial PNP
Unit and manned by uniformed PNP personnel. Other
units directly involved in an operation may establish
mobile checkpoints in coordination with the Unit
Commander in the area.
11.2 Composition

In the conduct of checkpoint, the checkpoint team

shall be composed of, but not limited to, the following:

a. Team Leader (TL) - shall lead and take responsibility

in the conduct of checkpoint preferably an officer
with the rank of at least Police Inspector;
b. Spotter - PNP personnel who will point/profile
suspected vehicle subject for checkpoint;
c. Spokesperson - TL or member who is in charge of
communicating with the motorists subject for
checkpoint;
d. Investigation Sub-team - in charge of investigation
and documentation of possible incidents in the
checkpoint to include issuance of Traffic Citation
Ticket (TCT) or Traffic Violation Report (TVR);
e. Search/Arresting Sub-Team - designated to conduct
search, seizure and arrest, if necessary;
f. Security Sub-Team - tasked to provide security in the
checkpoint area; and
g. Blocking/Pursuing Sub-Team - team tasked to block/
pursue fleeing suspects/vehicle.
11.3 Guidelines
a. Mobile checkpoints are authorized only when
established in conjunction with ongoing police
operations. Only officially marked vehicles with
blinkers turned on, if available, shall be used in
establishing mobile checkpoints
b. Checkpoints are established to enforce circulation
control measure, laws, orders and regulations, and
when there is a need to arrest a criminal or fugitive
from justice.
c. The composition of the personnel manning the
checkpoint shall be left to the sound discretion of the
Team Leader (TL), with the consideration of female
PNP officer in the team especially when there is an
anticipated female suspect.
d. The minimum Police Checkpoint team should at least
be composed of an 8-man complement, with three
verifiers, one spotter, one TL, one profiler, one rear
security and one advance security.
e. The Team manning checkpoints must have immediate
contact with the LGUs, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO)
or any member of the Philippine bar, and/or the media
(for drug cases).
f. The Team should encourage the participation of, but
not limited to, the Local Government Units (LGUs),
Civil Society Groups, Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs), business organizations, other civic groups,
media and other stakeholders during the conduct of
Police Checkpoint operations.
g. The participation of the civilians and the presence of
the media in the conduct of checkpoint must be
confined only as observers to give police additional
eyes and promote transparency of activities in the
area.
h. All civic groups or organizations to include the media,
who are inclined to participate in police checkpoints,
must be duly registered and accredited by the PNP for
such purpose. The accreditation of the civilian groups
to join in the conduct of checkpoint shall be
administered by the Police Regional and Provincial
Offices.
i. PNP personnel manning the checkpoint must have a
presentable appearance, wearing the prescribed PNP
uniform. Likewise, the civilian members must also be
in their organization’s uniform with their names
conspicuously displayed for identification. In no case
shall the civilian components be allowed to bear
firearms during the checkpoint.
j. In Metro Manila and other major cities, police officers
manning the checkpoints should not wear Field
Service Uniforms (FSU) or black fatigues in lieu of the
PNP General Office Attire unless the conduct of
checkpoint is a result of a Hot Pursuit Operation or a
High Risk Checkpoint. The use of mixed uniforms
(GOA, FSU, black fatigue) in the conduct of
checkpoint is strictly prohibited.
k. As much as possible, the area where the checkpoints
shall be established must be properly lighted, with a
noticeable signage bearing the name of the PNP unit
and the participating organization/s visibly displayed
in the checkpoint site, to prevent any apprehension
from the public of the existence of the same.
l. Due courtesy must be accorded to the motorists,
traders and the commuters during the conduct of
checkpoint.
m. The spokesperson must greet the people subject for
inspection, extend apology for the inconvenience,
appeal for understanding and state the reasons of the
operation. Upon completion, thank the person/s
searched.
n. Except in the actual commission of crime during
checkpoints or in a hot pursuit operation, the conduct
of inspection of vehicle during a routine checkpoint is
limited to a visual search and therefore must be done
with due respect to innocent passers-by, commuters,
or bystanders and be conducted in a manner that is
of least inconvenience to the public. Searches,
seizures, and arrests made during checkpoints shall
 be within the ambit of the law.
o. Violations/Infractions of the law discovered during the
checkpoint operation shall be expeditiously disposed
of following legal procedures. Arrested persons must
be apprised of their rights with respect to the
Miranda Doctrine.
p. The security of the PNP personnel, and most
especially that of the civilians participating in the
checkpoint operation, must be given due
consideration in the planning of the operation.
q. Only the security sub-team and blocking/pursuing
sub-team members are allowed to display high-
powered firearms should be positioned where they
can best provide security to the Checkpoint team,
including themselves.
r. Checkpoint personnel must not limit their task to law
enforcement and crime deterrence. They should also
be ready to provide police assistance in the vicinity
e.g., giving directions to inquiring motorists or
passers-by.
s. The PNP operating units must provide their own
logistical and financial requirements to avoid soliciting
support from the civilians for their personal or
operational needs.
t. Police personnel assigned in the checkpoint shall not
mulct, extort, or harass drivers, passengers, and
traders. Designated TL assigned at the checkpoint
shall be responsible for the actuations and behavior of
his personnel and shall be accountable under the
doctrine of Command Responsibility.
u. Voluntary offers of cash or in kind from the traders/
motorists passing the checkpoint should be
absolutely refused because the offer might be
misconstrued as a bribe.
v. The police and the civilian component must separately
submit their After Checkpoint Operation Report to
their respective units or organization for proper
evaluation of the efficacy of the operation.

11.4 Procedure in the Conduct of Regular Police

Checkpoint

a. Unit Commanders should inform Higher Headquarters

(HHQs) Tactical Operations Center (TOC) and
coordinate with adjacent units, such as MPS, CPS,
NSUs, Public Safety Company Forces and other
 friendly forces, personally or through an official
representative, before commencing with the
checkpoint to avoid mis encounter and any untoward
incident;
b. The TL shall brief the PNP personnel, as well as the
civilian components present, including the media
regarding the proper conduct of the checkpoint and
their assigned tasks prior to their deployment;
c. The TL shall initially account for the PNP personnel
and check if they are in the prescribed uniform. PNP
personnel conducting the checkpoint shall display
their nameplates at all times. If wearing a jacket, the
flap of the jacket bearing their names should also be
displayed. Likewise, the equipment will include, but
not limited to, the following:
 (1) Marked Patrol vehicles;
(2) Firearms with basic load of ammunition;
(3) Handheld and vehicle base radios;
(4) Flashlights;
(5) Megaphone;
(6) Video camera; and
(7) Signage:
(a) Warning signs: (e.g., Slowdown Checkpoint
Ahead, Checkpoint 20 Meters Ahead, etc);
and
(b) Information signs: Name of the Unit and TL.

d. The Spotter of the team will be pre-positioned in a

place where he can best point/profile suspected
vehicles prior to their approach to the checkpoint;
e. Search/Arresting Sub-Team shall flag down
suspected vehicles and conduct search, seizure
and arrest, if necessary;
f. In the event of seized drugs, the team having
initial custody and control of the drugs shall
immediately conduct physical inventory and
photograph the same in the presence of the
accused or the person/s from whom such items
were confiscated and/or seized, or his/her
representative or counsel, a representative from
the media and DOJ, any elected public official
who shall be required to sign the copy of the
inventory and be given a copy thereof;
g. Arrested persons and seized items shall be turned
over to the investigation sub-team for
documentation and proper disposition;
h. In the event that the checkpoint is ignored, and
the occupants of the vehicle open fire on the
personnel manning the checkpoint, reasonable
force to overcome the suspects’ aggression may
be employed;
i. Inform Higher Headquarters before terminating
the conduct of Checkpoint;
j. The TL shall conduct debriefing of personnel after
termination of the Checkpoint; an
k. Unit Commander shall submit After-Activity
Report to Higher Headquarters.
11.5 Procedure in the Conduct of On-the Spot
(Hasty) Checkpoints

a. PNP personnel conducting mobile patrols on

board patrol vehicles will initially man the
checkpoint, to be complemented by additional
personnel upon arrival of reinforcement. A
collapsible signage with markings:
“Stop, Police Checkpoint” if available, indicating
also the name of the concerned police
office/unit conducting the operations, will be
used for the purpose;
b. In the case of PNP personnel conducting Internal
Security Operation (ISO) or foot patrol, where a
vehicle and collapsible signage is not readily
available, the checkpoint shall be manned
initially by said personnel; c. The team shall
immediately inform Higher Headquarters of the
exact location of the hasty Checkpoint to
include personnel involved and available
equipment;
d. In a hasty checkpoint, where there is a possibility
of high risk stop and high-risk arrest, and there is
an urgency for troop deployment and that
public safety might be at risk, the participation of
the civilian component and the presence of the
media in the checkpoint operation shall not be
e. The Unit Commander of the personnel manning
the hasty checkpoint shall immediately send
additional personnel, equipment and signage to
the area in order to convert the Hasty
Checkpoint into a Regular Checkpoint; and
f. As soon as the Hasty Checkpoint is converted
into a Regular Checkpoint, TL shall follow the
procedures under 11.4c of this Rule.

11.6 General Procedure to be Followed When

Checkpoints are Ignored

When checkpoints are ignored, the following

shall be observed:
a. In the event that checkpoints/roadblocks are
ignored and the motorists/suspects bump the
roadblock in an attempt to elude arrest or avoid
inspection, the TL shall immediately contact
adjacent units to inform them of the situation so
that these units can conduct dragnet operation
or police defensive roadblock, while the
members of the blocking/pursuing team shall
block or pursue the errant fleeing motorist;
b. Warning shots shall not be allowed due to the
confusion it may create for the driver and
passengers of the vehicle. Megaphones or
police sirens shall be used instead during the
pursuit. The plate number of the vehicle shall be
noted and given to other units in adjacent areas
 to prevent the possibility that the vehicle may
elude the pursuit operation; and
c. In the event that the occupants of the vehicle
open fire on the personnel manning the
checkpoint, reasonable force to overcome the
suspects’ aggression may be employed.

11.7 Procedure in Flagging Down or Accosting

Vehicles While in Mobile Car

This rule is a general concept and will not

apply in hot pursuit operations. The mobile car
crew shall undertake the following, when
applicable:
a. Call Headquarters to provide information on the
make or type and plate number of the motor
vehicle to be accosted and, if possible, identity
of occupants;
b. State the reason(s) for the planned intervention
of the suspected motor vehicle;
c. Give the mobile car’s location and its direction
before making actual intervention;
d. Try to get alongside the suspects’ vehicle and
check the occupants without alarming them of
your purpose. You can even overtake the
vehicle and wait for it at an advantageous
location before stopping the suspects’ vehicle;
e. Determine whether the suspects are hostile or
not;
f. Make known to the suspect that you are after
them through the use of a siren or megaphone;
g. Instruct the driver to pull over or stop on the side
of the road;
h. Park behind the suspect’s vehicle at an
appropriate distance and cautiously approach
the vehicle on the driver’s side;
i. If the vehicle’s windows are heavily tinted and
the occupants cannot be seen, instruct the
driver to open all windows to have a clear view
of the interior of the vehicle;
j. Instruct the driver to turn off the ignition, if this was
not done when the vehicle stopped; in case of
motorcycle instruct the driver to remove the key
and disembark;
k. The other members of the team must be on
guard for any eventuality while the vehicle is
being approached;
l. Talk to the driver in a most courteous manner and
inform him of the nature of his violation. Demand
to see the driver’s license, photocopies of the
certificate of registration and the official receipt.
Examine these documents and counter-check
the driver on the information reflected therein;
m. If it concerns traffic violations, immediately issue
an Traffic Citation Ticket (TCT) or Traffic Violation
Report (TVR). Never indulge in prolonged,
unnecessary conversation or argument with the
driver or any of the vehicle’s occupants;
n. In case of other violations that require the
impounding of the vehicle, inform the driver
regarding this situation and instruct him to follow
you, after issuing the TCT/TVR; and
o. Before moving out, inform Headquarters
regarding the situation/status and disposition of
the person and motor vehicle accosted.
11.8 Dealing with Hostile Situation
The following are the procedures to be
followed in dealing with hostile drivers:

a. Stopping Vehicles

1. Follow the procedure stated in paragraphs a

to c of Rule 11.7;
2. Immediately request for back-up;
3. Follow the suspect and always keep him
within visual range;
4. Expect that the suspect will notice your
action at any time. Be prepared for hot
pursuit or actual hostile confrontation;
5. If the back-up is already in the vicinity, inform
Headquarters that you are proceeding to accost
the suspect;
6. Inform the suspects that you are after them
through the use of siren or megaphone and
instruct the driver to pull over or stop on the side
of the street;
7. Park at an appropriate distance behind the
suspect’s vehicle;
8. While the vehicle is being approached, the other
members of the crew and back-up must be on
guard for any eventuality. Overreactions or
aggression on the part of the police should be
avoided;
9. If the vehicle’s windows are heavily tinted and
the occupants cannot be seen, instruct the
driver to open all windows for a clear view of the
vehicle’s interior;
10. Direct the driver and other occupants of the
vehicle not to make unnecessary movements
and to show their hands outside the car;
11. Instruct the driver to turn off the ignition and toss
the key to the ground. Demand to see the
Driver’s License and photocopies of the vehicle’s
certificate of registration and the official receipt.
Examine the documents and counter-check the
driver on the information reflected therein; and
12. If there are other suspects aside from the driver,
separate them from one another.

b. Fleeing Vehicles

1. In the event that the motor vehicle did not

stop despite the warning given, inform
Headquarters or adjacent units so that
dragnet operations or police defensive
roadblocks can be set-up;
2. Inform Headquarters of the make or type,
plate number and color of the motor vehicle
to be accosted including the number of
occupants and, if possible, their identity;
3. State the reason(s) for flagging down the
suspected motor vehicle;
4. Give mobile car’s location and its direction
before making actual intervention;
5. When the vehicle of the suspect is cornered or
stopped, instruct the driver and other occupants
in a clear and commanding voice to follow
specifically what you will require of them. Failure
on their part to follow will be construed as a
hostile act on their part. Execute instructions on
the use of reasonable force;
6. Instruct the driver to turn off the ignition and toss
the key to the ground, open the door and step
out of the vehicle, then instruct him to place his
hands on top of the vehicle, or to move towards
you with his hands up;
7. Instruct other occupants of the vehicle, if any, to
come out one by one, and follow what the driver
has been instructed to do earlier;
8. Arrest, handcuff and search the suspects and
bring them to Headquarters for proper
disposition; and
9. Before moving out, inform Headquarters about
the situation, status and disposition of the
suspects and motor vehicle accosted.
11.9 High-Risk Stop and High-Risk Arrest

a. Initial Stage
Upon receipt of information involving
movement of armed person or persons, either
singly or in group, including unauthorized
movement of government troops, or in
immediate response to a reported commission of
crime perpetrated by armed persons, the PNP
shall immediately:

1. Organize appropriate tactical security force

utilizing maximum firepower and armor assets;
2. Deploy the security forces to stopping zones in
defensive position; and (3) Seal off the area and
establish strong roadblocks/barricades.

b. Effecting a High Risk Stop

When effecting high-risk stop, the police officer
shall:

1. Exert utmost effort to persuade the suspects to

halt or stop their movement.
2. Start with the procedural conduct of regular
warrantless arrest where arrest is inevitable.
3. Ensure proper documentation of the process.
4. Respect the rights of all the persons involved.
c. During Violent Stage
The PNP shall strictly adhere to the PNP
Operational Procedures (POP), particularly on
the use of force(Rule 7)

11.10 Police Defensive Roadblock

Police Defensive Roadblock is a temporary

installation or hastily built barricade set for halting
traffic to facilitate the apprehension/
neutralization of an armed person/suspect
onboard a motor vehicle. (PNP Command
Memorandum Circular No. 25-13 “Establishment
of Police Defensive Roadblocks”)
a. Pre-Conditions in Establishing Police Defensive
Roadblocks:

A police defensive roadblock may be

established in any of the following conditions/
situations:

1. The object vehicle/s must be the subject of a

recent flash alarm;
2. The driver/occupants of the vehicle are
presumed hostile and will not stop at the
checkpoint;
3. The vehicle disregarded a police-established
checkpoint when flagged down;
4. The identified vehicle and occupants must be
the subject of a police case/combat operational
plan;
5. There is unauthorized troop movement; or
6. There must be validated information on any of
the following:
a. On-going hot pursuit/police chase;
b. Movement of suspected armed persons
onboard a motor vehicle;
c. Report of suspected armed men who have
just committed a crime;
d. Vehicle carrying escaped prisoner; or
e. Armed motorcycle riding criminals.
b. Procedures in Establishing Roadblock:
1. Before the Roadblock:
a. Organize appropriate/sufficient police
tactical security forces, utilizing maximum
firepower and armor assets (if any), with the
following team composition:

i. Team Leader (TL) - shall lead and take

responsibility in the conduct of roadblock
preferably an officer with the rank of at
least Police Inspector;
ii. Forward observer/spotter - PNP personnel
who will point/profile suspected vehicle
subject for roadblock;
iii. Spokesperson - TL or member who is solely in
charge of communicating with the armed
suspects onboard a motor vehicle subject for
roadblock;
iv. Sniper - to render the vehicle un-operational to
avoid escape and provide firepower support to
neutralize armed and hostile suspects during
firefight;
v. Investigation Sub-team - in charge of
investigation and documentation of the
roadblock;
vi. Search/Arresting Sub-Team – designated to
conduct search, seizure and arrest;
vii. Security Sub-Team - tasked to provide security in
the roadblock area and ensure exclusion of
 other vehicles and civilians not subject of
roadblock;
viii. Blocking/Pursuing Sub-Team – tasked to block/
pursue fleeing suspects/vehicle;
ix. Medical Sub-Team – tasked to provide
immediate medical assistance if necessary;
x. Additional tactical personnel/team may be
employed depending on the size of the hostiles;
and
xi. Videographer – tasked to take videos of the
entire roadblock operation.
b. The Team Leader (TL) shall brief the elements/
members of the Police Roadblock and perform
the following:

i. Inform the next higher Headquarters of the

make or type and plate number of the
motor vehicle to be accosted, including the
number and, if possible, identity of the
occupants;
ii. State the reason(s) for the planned
intervention of the suspected motor vehicle;
iii. Give the exact location of the roadblock to
include personnel involved, available
equipment and marked vehicles;
 iv. Coordinate with the Chief of Police and
friendly forces who has territorial jurisdiction
over the area; and
v. Immediately contact adjacent units to
inform them of the situation so that these
units can conduct dragnet operation, while
the members of the blocking/pursuing team
shall block or pursue the fleeing
suspects/vehicle.

c. Participating personnel in the roadblock must

be in their prescribed uniform; and
d. In a roadblock, since troop deployment is urgent
and public safety is at risk, the participation of
civilian component and the presence of
 media in the roadblock shall not be allowed.

2. During the Roadblock:

a. Establish forward observers/spotters and rear

checkpoint;
b. Deploy security forces in a strategic and
defensive position;
c. Establish a strong roadblock on selected
strategic areas;
d. Deploy road spikes or tire deflation system if
available
e. Ensure that the whole intervention procedure
is documented by the videographer;
f. As much as possible, the area where the
roadblock shall be established must be properly
lighted with noticeable signage bearing the
name of the PNP Unit visibly displayed and in a
safe distance from a populated area to prevent
collateral damage if a firefight ensues;
g. Police car lights must be turned on at all times
during the operation;
h. Identify yourself-rank, name, unit verbally and
make known to the suspect/s that you are after
them through the use of a siren or megaphone;
i If the vehicle’s windows are heavily tinted and
the occupants cannot be seen, instruct the
driver to open all windows to have a clear view
of the interior of the vehicle;
j. Instruct the driver to turn off the ignition (if this was
not done when the vehicle stopped) and order
all the occupants to disembark, followed by their
hands to be placed on top of the vehicle;
k. The other members of the team must be on
guard for any eventuality while the vehicle is
being approached;
l. Intervention procedures upon stop of subject
vehicle: Exert utmost effort to persuade the
suspects to halt or stop their movement;

i. Start with the procedural conduct of regular

warrantless arrest where arrest is inevitable;
 ii. Ensure proper documentation of the
process; and
iii. Respect the rights of all the persons
involved.
(m) Procedures when suspects open fire/engage
the troops:
i. In the event that the occupants of the
vehicle open fire on the personnel manning
the roadblock, reasonable force to
overcome the suspects’ aggression may be
employed;
ii. Use only necessary force to neutralize
suspects;
iii. Prevent panic firing;
 iv. Prevent collateral damage; and
v. Account for the casualties.

3. After the Roadblock:

a. When suspect/s surrendered or are arrested:

i. Arrested persons must be apprised of their

rights in reference to the Miranda Doctrine;
and
ii. An After-Roadblock Operations Report
must be submitted to their respective units
or organization for proper evaluation of the
efficacy of the operation.
b. When suspects engage with troops:
i. Account for the casualties and give
immediate medical assistance to the
wounded;
ii. Protect/preserve the crime scene
engagement area; and
iii. Ensure proper documentation of the process.

c. Fleeing Vehicles :
i. In the event that the motor vehicle did not
stop and it evaded the roadblock despite the
warning given, inform Headquarters or
adjacent units so that another roadblock can
be set-up;
ii. Fleeing vehicles shall not be fired upon
except by a sniper but only to disable the
vehicle;
iii. Inform Headquarters of the make or type,
plate number and color of the motor
vehicle to be accosted including the
number of occupants and, if possible, their
identity;
iv. State the reason(s) for flagging down the
suspected motor vehicle;
v. Give mobile car’s location and its direction
before making actual intervention; and
vi. Establish Hot Pursuit Operation.
 RULE 13. ARREST

13.1 General Guidelines

a. 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.
b. 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.
c. As a general rule, arrests can be made on
any day of the week and at any time of the
day or night.
d. 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.
e. 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; and
2. Diplomatic Agents, Under the Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
13.2 Warrant of Arrest
The warrant of arrest is the written
authority of the arresting officer when making
an arrest or taking of a person into custody in
order that he may be bound to answer for the
commission of an offense.
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.
13.3 Arrests 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;
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;
d. Where the accused released on bail attempts to
leave the country without court permission;
e. Violation of conditional pardon, punishable
under Article159 of the Revised Penal Code as a
case of evasion of service of sentence; and
f. Arrest following a Deportation Proceeding by the
Immigration Commissioner against illegal and
undesirable aliens.
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;
d. Where the accused released on bail attempts
to leave the country without court permission;
e. Violation of conditional pardon, punishable
under Article 159 of the Revised Penal Code as
a case of evasion of service of sentence; and
f. Arrest following a Deportation Proceeding by
the Immigration Commissioner against illegal
and undesirable aliens.
13.4 Authority of 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 a
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 anytime and in any place
within the Philippines.
13.5 Procedures
a. Serving of Warrant of Arrest
1. Verify the validity of the warrant and request
for an authenticated copy from the issuing
court;
2. In serving the warrant, the police officer should
introduce himself and show proper identification;
3. Make a manifestation of authority against the
person to be arrested;
4. 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;
5. 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;
6. Secure the person to be arrested and use
handcuffs for the protection of the arresting
officer, other individuals or the arrested person
himself;
7. Conduct thorough search for weapons and
other illegal materials on the person arrested
and surroundings within his immediate control;
8. Inform the person to be arrested of his rights
under the law (i.e. Miranda Warning and Anti-
torture Warning);
9. No unnecessary force shall be used in making
an arrest;
10. Confiscated evidence shall be properly
documented with the chain of custody of
evidence duly and clearly established;
 11. Bring the arrested person to the Police
Station for documentation;
12. Make a Return of Warrant to the court of
origin (Annex “B” - Return of Warrant Form);
and
13. Deliver the arrested person to jail/prison upon
the issuance of a commitment order of the
court.

b. Effecting Warrantless Arrest

1. Freeze or restrain the suspect/s;

2. Make proper introduction as to identity and
authority to arrest;
3. Inform the arrested person of the circumstances
of his arrest and recite the Miranda Warning and
Anti-torture Warning to him;
4. Secure the person to be arrested and use
handcuffs for the protection of the arresting
officer, other individuals or the arrested person
himself;
5. Conduct thorough search for weapons and
other illegal materials on the person arrested
and surroundings within his immediate control;
6. Confiscated evidence shall be properly
documented with the chain of custody of
evidence duly and clearly established;
 7. No unnecessary force shall be used in making
an arrest; and
8. Bring the arrested person to the Police Station
for further investigation and disposition.

13.6 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. When women or children are among the
arrested suspect/s, the arresting officer shall task
the Women’s and Children’s Protection Desks
(WCPD) officer or a policewoman who is familiar
with women and children protection desk duties
to conduct the pat-down search;
d. 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;
e. 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 and the right to physical
examination;
f. 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);
g. 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;
h. 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; and
i. If the person arrested waives his right against self-
incrimination and chooses 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.
13.7 Physical 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.
RULE 14. SEARCH AND SEIZURE

14.1 Requisites for the Issuance of Search Warrant

A search warrant shall be issued only upon

probable cause in connection with one specific
offense to be determined personally by the
judge after examination under oath or
affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses
presented. The search warrant shall particularly
describe the place to be searched and the
things to be seized which may be anywhere in
the Philippines.
a. The following properties may be the objects of a
search warrant:

1. Properties which are the subject of the offense;

2. Stolen, embezzled proceeds, or fruits of the
offense; and
3. Objects including weapons, equipment, and
other items used or intended to be used as the
means of committing an offense.

b. Objects that are illegal per se, even if not

particularly described in the search warrant, may
be seized under the plain view doctrine.
14.2 Validity of Search Warrant

a. The warrant shall be valid for ten (10) days from

date of issuance and may be served at any day
within the said period. Thereafter, it shall be void.
b. If, in the implementation of the search warrant,
its object or purpose cannot be accomplished in
one day, the search can be continued the
following day, or days, until completed, provided
it is still within the ten (10)- day validity period of
the search warrant.
c. If the object or purpose of the search warrant
cannot be accomplished within the ten (10)-day
validity period, the responsible police officer
conducting the search must file, before the
issuing court, an application for the extension of
the validity period of said search warrant.

14.3 Time of Search

The warrant should be served during daytime,

unless there is a provision in the warrant allowing
service at anytime of the day or night.
14.4 Applications for Search Warrant

All applications for Search Warrant shall be

approved for filing by the Chief of Office. The
application shall indicate the following data:

a. Office applying for the Search Warrant;

b. Name of officer-applicant;
c. Name of the subject, if known;
d. Address/place(s) to be searched;
e. Specific statement of things/articles to be seized;
and
f. Sketch of the place to be searched.
 All approved applications shall be recorded in
a log book, duly maintained for the purpose,
indicating the name of the applicant, name of the
respondent, nature of the offense, and date of the
application. (Annexes “C”, “C-1” and “C-2”)

14.5 Authority of Police Officers when Conducting Search

In the conduct of search, if after giving notice
of his purpose and authority, the police officer is
refused admittance to the place of search, he may
break open any outer or inner door or window or
any part of a house or anything therein to
implement the warrant or liberate himself or any
person lawfully aiding him when unlawfully
detained therein.
14.6 Prohibited Acts in the Conduct of Search by
Virtue of a Search Warrant

a. Houses, rooms, or other premises shall not be

searched except in the presence of the lawful
occupant thereof or any member of his family
or, in the absence of the latter, in the presence
of two (2) witnesses of sufficient age and
discretion residing in the same locality.
b. Lawful personal properties, papers, and other
valuables not specifically indicated or
particularly described in the search warrant shall
not be taken.
14.7 Inventory and Delivery of Property Seized
a. The police officer who confiscates property
under the warrant shall issue a detailed receipt
of property seized to the lawful occupant of the
premises, or in the absence of such occupant,
shall do so in the presence of at least two (2)
witnesses of sufficient age and discretion residing
in the same locality;
b. The receipt shall likewise include items seized
under the Plain View Doctrine;
c. The police officer must then leave a receipt in
the place in which he found the seized property
and a duplicate copy thereof with any
barangay official having jurisdiction over the
place searched (Annexes “D” and“D-1”); and
d. The police officer must forthwith deliver the
property seized to the judge who issued the
warrant, together with an inventory thereof, duly
verified under oath. (Annexes “E” and “E-1”)

14.8 Valid Search and Seizures Without Search

Warrant

a. Search made incidental to a valid arrest

A person lawfully arrested may be searched for
dangerous weapons or anything which may be
used or which may constitute proof in the
commission of an offense, without a search
warrant. The warrantless search and seizure as an
b. Search of moving vehicles

If the police officers who will conduct the

search have reasonable or probable cause to
believe, before the search, that either the motorist
is a law offender or they will find the instrumentality
or evidence pertaining to a crime in the vehicle to
be searched, the vehicle may be stopped and
subjected to an extensive search.
c. Seizure of evidence in plain view
Any object in the plain view is subject to seizure
and may be introduced as evidence.
Requirements under the Plain View Doctrine are:

1. The police officer must have prior justification for

an intrusion or, otherwise, must be in a position
from which he can view a particular area;
2. The discovery of the evidence in plain view is
unintentional; or
3. It is immediately apparent to the police officer
that the item he observes may be evidence of a
crime, contraband, or is a valid subject of
seizure.
 d. When there is waiver of the right or there is
consented search
To constitute a waiver of this constitutional
right, it must appear, first, that the right exists;
second, that the person involved had knowledge,
either actual or constructive, of the existence of
such right; that said person had an actual intention
to relinquish the right.

e. Searches Under Stop and Frisk Rule

The police officer has the right to stop a citizen
on the street, interrogate him, and pat him for
weapons whenever he observes unusual conduct
which convinces him that a criminal activity exists.
 f. Emergency and Exigent Circumstances
A search warrant could be validly dispensed
within cases of exigent and emergency situation,
and the police officers have reasonable grounds to
believe that a crime is being committed, and they
have no opportunity to apply for a search warrant
from the courts because the latter were closed.

g. Tipped Information
If the police officers have reasonable grounds
to believe that the subjects are engaged in illegal
activities, the tipped information is sufficient to
provide probable cause to effect a warrantless
search and seizure.
 “It is not enough to do
good; one must do it the
right away.” (John
Marley)
Thank you for listening.

GOODLUCK . . .