RULE 32.

HOSTAGE SITUATION/BARRICADED SITUATIONS

32.1 Procedure to be followed in a Hostage Situation The following steps shall be undertaken:

a. A Critical Incident Management Committee shall be activated immediately; (PNP

Standard Operating Procedure No. ODO-2010-003 “Organization and Procedures of
Critical Incident Management

Committee and Critical Incident Management Task Group)

b. Incident scene shall be secured and isolated;

c. Identify and secure the stronghold;

d. As much as possible, ensure the control of communication lines, and cut-off all other
lines as well as electricity and water supply to allow for more bargaining;

e. Unauthorized persons shall not be allowed entry and exit to the incident scene;

f. Witnesses’ names, addresses, and other information shall be recorded;

g. Witnesses shall be directed to a safe location;

h. Evacuate all victims/injured persons immediately when the opportunity permits;

i. The arrest of the perpetrator shall be the last paramount concern; and

j. Conduct debriefi ng immediately after the conclusion of the incident.

32.2 Ground Commander/On-Scene Commander

There shall be only one Ground Commander/On-Scene Commander holding at least a senior rank and/or
one (1) with experience in hostage/crisis situation or relative training. Until such time that he offi cially
designates a spokesperson, he may issue appropriate press statements and continue to perform the role
of the spokesperson.

32.3 Negotiators/ Negotiation Team

Negotiators shall be designated by the Ground Commander. No one shall be allowed to talk to the
hostagetaker without clearance from the negotiator or Ground Commander. The Negotiation Team is
directly under control and supervision of the On-Scene Commander.

Negotiation team structure will be as follows:

a. Negotiation Team Leader (NTL)/coordinator;

b. Primary Negotiator;

c. Secondary Negotiator;

d. Intelligence liason/recorder; and

e. Board Negotiator.

32.4 Assault Team

An assault team shall be alerted for deployment in case the negotiation fails. Members of the assault
team shall wear authorized and easily recognizable uniform during the conduct of the operation.

32.5 Support Personnel

An ambulance with medical crew and a fi re truck shall be detailed at the incident area.

32.6 Plans

The On-Scene Commander shall, upon the assessment of the situation, prepare necessary plans to
include but not limited to:

a. Emergency Response Plan - depends on the threat posed by the hostage-takers and
need of the Negotiation Team and On-Scene Commander.

b. Breakout Plan - possibility of breakout shall be considered immediately upon drawing up

negotiation strategy. This should be considered as one of the priority plans.

c. Delivery plan - in case the hostage-takers change plans in the middle of the execution.

d. Surrender plan- should be drawn up in a way that the hostages’ lives will not be
jeopardized.

e. Hostage Reception/ Release - for security reasons, released hostages should be

contained and isolated.

f. Collection plan - safety of the police personnel involved is the priority consideration.

32.7 Coordination

Proper coordination with all participating elements shall be done to consolidate efforts in solving the
crisis.

32.8 Safety of Hostage(s)

In negotiating for the release of a hostage, the safety of the hostage shall always be paramount.

32.9 Guidelines during Negotiations

a. Situation must be stabilized fi rst and contained before the start of the negotiation;

b. All relevant tools and information that can strengthen a negotiator’s position and create
a favorable climate for a successful negotiation must be prepared e.g. facts relevant to the
situation, fi nancial and non-fi nancial terms, issues and concerns, etc;

c. Do not introduce outsiders (non-law enforcement offi cers) into the negotiation process,
unless their presence is extremely necessary in the solution of the crisis. If so introduced,
they shall be properly advised on the do’s and don’ts of hostage negotiations;

d. In case the negotiator breaks down or he/she fi nds himself/herself in a deadlock, it is

recommended to employ the service of a mediator.
 e. Police offi cers without proper training shall not be allowed to participate in hostage
negotiations.

f. Whatever the scale of an incident and the extent of resources deployed, it is essential
that proper liaison exist between Tactical/Assault Team, Technical Support Team and the
Negotiation Team.

g. All activities on the scene, even the delivery of food to the stronghold, must have
tactical coordination with the NTL/Coordinator.

32.10 Negotiation through Mediator

a. The mediator will act as a referee, helping the negotiators resolve their
differences.

b. The mediator must be well-versed about the issues in order to be able to

eventually recommend an effective solution.

c. The main object is to reconcile the object of the negotiator with that of the
other party.