DILG orders simplification of PNP operations manual

The National Police Commission should simplify or make "user friendly" the existing PNP Rules on Operational Procedures, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who also sits as Napolcom chairman, issued the order for the creation of a PNP technical working group that would do the simplification of the police manual, or make it easily comprehensible to the average police officer.

Puno said that most policemen are non-lawyers so the revision of the PNP manual should have detailed and simple explanation that would make it easily understandable to all.

The Puno directive was in response to the recommendation of the Napolcom standing committee, headed by commissioner Miguel Coronel, that was tasked earlier to conduct a continuing review of the police manual.

The panel observed that the PNP manual contains, verbatim, the provisions of existing laws that are too abstruse or legalese in style that every policeman would found it hard to comprehend.

Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Dulay Sr., director of the PNP legal service, headed the technical working group tasked to simplify the recondite rules of the manual.

The Coronel committee also recommended for the improvement of the rules on civil disturbance management operations. It further called for the formulation of protocol between policemen and participants of protest rallies.

The PNP's lack of information on a local government's action over an application for mass action or rally has often led to confusion and misunderstanding between law enforcers and rally organizers.

Puno suggested that organizers of mass actions should provide the PNP with copies of rally permits or applications to help guide law enforcers in carrying out their duties to maintain peace and order during such assemblies.

Under Batas Pambansa 880, a local government should act on a application for rally permit within two working days from the time the organizers submit the application for permit.

A permit is deemed granted if a particular LGU fails to act on the application within the prescribed period. - Ferliza C. Contratista