CHAPTER 3

CRISIS MANAGEMENT POLICY

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this chapter, the students will be able to:

1. Identify the different Legal Regimes in Crisis Management

2. Explain the policy on Terrorism particularly on Hostage Taking Situations;

3. Describe the policy on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management,

4. Explain and Appreciate the important concepts in PNP Operational Procedures on Critical
Incident Management;

5. Explain and Describe the PNP's Alert Level During Man Made Critical Incidents, and

6. Identify and Explain the PNP's Stages in Disaster Management,

Legal Regimes in Crisis Management

In order to ensure effective and appropriate crisis management at all levels of the government,
several laws have been passed; some of these laws are;

1. Section 4 and 5, Article II, 1987 Constitution

It emphasizes the duty of the Government, which is to serve and protect the people (1987
Constitution, Article II, Section 4). And expresses the idea that, the maintenance of peace and
order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general welfare are
essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy (Article II, Section 5).

2. Section 6. Article XVI, 1987 Constitution It states that the State shall establish and maintain
one police force, which shall be national in scope and civilian in character, to be administered
and controlled by a national police commission.

3. R.A. 7160 or Local Government Code

RA 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code1991 was enacted into law,
transferring control and responsibility of delivering basic services to the hands of local
government units (LGU). It aimed to enhance provision of services at the local level as well as
improve the efficiency in resource allocation. This Code establishes the system and defines
powers of provincial, city, municipal and barangay governments in the Philippines. It provides
for a more responsive local government structure instituted through a system of decentralization
whereby Local Government Units are delegated more powers, authority, responsibilities and
resources."

Chapter III, Article 1, Section 444

It lays down the following responsibilities of a Mayor

.To act as the deputized representative of the National Police Commission;

.To formulate the peace and order plan of the municipality and upon its approval, implement the
same and exercise general and operational control and supervision over the local police forces in
the municipality.

To call upon the appropriate law enforcement agencies to suppress disorder, riot, lawless
violence, rebellion or sedition or to apprehend violators of the law when public interest so
requires and the municipal police forces are inadequate to cope with the situation or the violators.

4. R.A. 6975 or DILG Act of 1990

R.A. 6975 is also known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990
(R.A. 6975, Section 1, 1990). It is an act that establishes the Philippine National Police under a
reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government. It aims to bolster a system of
coordination and cooperation among the citizenry, local executives and the integrated law
enforcement and public safety agencies, in order to promote peace and order, ensure public
safety and further strengthen local government capability (R.A. 6975, Section 2, 1990).

Section 51

It states that the city and municipal mayors shall exercise operational supervision and control
over PNP units in their respective jurisdiction except during the thirty (30) day period
immediately preceding and the thirty (30) days following any national, local and barangay
elections (R.A. 6975, Section 51, 1990).

5. Executive Order No. 309 of 1987

This executive order created the National Peace and Order Council (NPOC); and Local Peace
and Order Councils, in order to be fully coordinated to effectively prevent and suppress
criminality and to maintain public order and safety in the land." The Peace and Order Council is
organized on the national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels of government (EO.
309, 1987, Section

6. Executive Order No. 366, of 1996

This executive order amended the EO 309 of 1987 and created the Barangay Peace and Order
Committees, to serve as the implementing arm of the Local Government Peace and Order
Council at the barangay level.

7. Republic Act 10121 or Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010

This law paved the way for the institutionalization of the proactive Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management (DRRM).* "DRRM" approach is the systematic process of using administrative
directives, organizations, and operational skills and capacities to implement strategies, policies
and improved coping capacities in order to lessen the adverse impacts of hazards and the
possibility of disaster.

8. Executive Order No. 336, of 2001

This law establishes the National Council for Civil Aviation Security (NCCAS) formerly known
as National Action Committee on Anti-Hijacking and Anti-Terrorism (NACAHT) (EO 336,
2001, Section 1). NCCAS serves as effective mechanism primarily to contain threats of aviation-
related terrorism and secondarily to strengthen law enforcement capabilities to effectively
address all forms of terroristic acts against civil aviation.

Policy on Terrorism particularly on Hostage- Taking Situations

These principles were highlighted on the Memorandum Order No. 121 of 2000, as part of the
government's effort to modify and improve policies that address crisis situations arising from
terrorism.

1. Subscription to Anti-Terrorism Covenants

The Philippines subscribes to all international conventions and initiatives against terrorism and
will participate in all endeavors designed to strengthen international cooperation in order to
prevent and neutralize terroristic acts (PNP. 1996. p. 15).

2. Peaceful Means and other Options in the Resolution of a Crisis

The government must utilize and exhaust all peaceful means in seeking a resolution to a crisis.
This is to prevent or at least minimize, the loss of life and destruction of property. Once all
peaceful measures are exhausted, the government shall act promptly, decisively and effectively,
by choosing from the whole range of police and military actions appropriate to the
circumstances. Armed action shall be calibrated as required by the situation, to ensure the safety
of victims and innocent civilians (PNP. 1996, p. 15).

3. Coordinated and Calculated Response Against Terrorism

The government must ensure that it fully maximizes the National Peace and Order Council
(NPOC) through the Crisis Management Committees. To start and maintain a comprehensive
planning and research in order to develop a coordinated and calculated response against
terrorism, in accordance with our culture, values and justice system (PNP. 1996, p. 15).

4 Terrorism as a Criminal Act

The government considers all terrorist actions, regardless of motivation, as criminal acts. These
acts are prosecuted and penalized under the Revised Penal Code and appropriate special laws. It
shall undertake all lawful measures to prevent the conduct of such acts and bring to justice
perpetrators of terrorism (PNP. 1996, p. 15).

5. No-Compromise with Terrorists The government must not fall to blackmail or terrorist
demands. It should not grant any ransom and concessions that will benefit the perpetrators and
give terrorists an operational advantage over the government. Terrorists must be prevented or be
denied from benefiting from the fruits of their crime (MO 121, 2000, Section 1).

6. Respect for Human Rights All government personnel responding to any crisis situation shall at
all times respect human rights of people, including those of suspects of terrorist activities (MO
121, 2000, Section 1).

7. Prompt Handling of a Crisis at the Lowest Level Possible

All terrorist-based crises are generally police matters and shall be handled as such unless the
situation escalates into that which requires a higher unit of authority to carry out the
government's Anti Terrorism Policy. These empowers the local government in dealing with
crisis/ incidents, since it calls for the police, military and local government units (LGUS) to build
the capability to effectively handle terrorist-related incidents and arrest their escalation. (MO
121, 2000, Section 1).

8. Public Information Management and Advocacy

The government shall ensure the prudent handling of information to and from the media by
conducting advocacy steps to effectively convey its position. It shall ensure that the information
it disseminates will not prejudice nor hamper ongoing operations or the crisis management
process. In addition to this, it shall also ensure that government officials involved in the crisis
speak with one voice (MO 121, 2000, Section 1).

9. Safety of Victims and Civilians

The safety of victims and civilians shall be the government's primordial concern in the resolution
of a crisis. In situations involving foreign nationals, the government shall act in accordance with
its policies, and maintain close contact and coordination with the foreign government/s
concerned (MO 121, 2000, Section 1).

Policy on Anti-Terrorism

These principles are indicated in the RA. 11479 of 2020 or The Anti Terrorism Act of 2020.

1.The protection of life, liberty, and property from terrorism;

2. The condemnation of terrorism as inimical and dangerous to the national security of the
country and to the welfare of the people; and

3. The treatment of any act of terrorism as a crime against the Filipino people, against humanity,
and against the Laws of Nations.

Policy on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, lays down the policies of
the Philippine Government in dealing with natural disasters. They are as follows (Republic Act
10121, 2010, Section 2)2.:

1. Upholding the people's constitutional rights to life and property by addressing the root causes
of vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthening the country's institutional capacity for disaster risk
reduction and management and building the resilience of local communities to disasters.

2. Adherence to the universal norms, principles and standards of humanitarian assistance and the
global effort on risk reduction as an expression of the country's commitment to

overcome human sufferings.

3. Incorporation of internationally accepted principles of disaster risk management in the

creation and implementation of national, regional and local sustainable development and poverty
reduction strategies.

4. Creation of a disaster risk reduction and management approach that is holistic, comprehensive,
integrated, and proactive in lessening the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of disasters.

5. Development and implementation of a comprehensive National Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Plan (NDRRMP) that aims to strengthen the capacity of the national government
and the local government units (LGUS), together with partner stakeholders.

6. Adoption and implementation of a coherent, efficient and responsive disaster risk reduction
program incorporated in the development plan at various levels of government adhering to the
principles of good governance such as transparency and accountability within the context of
poverty alleviation and environmental protection.

7. Mainstream disaster risk reduction and climate change in development processes such as
policy formulation, socio economic development planning, budgeting, and governance.

8. Institutionalize the policies and programs with continuing budget appropriation on disaster
risk reduction from national down to local levels towards building a disaster resilient nation and
communities;

9. Ensure that disaster risk reduction and climate change measures are gender responsive,
sensitive to indigenous knowledge systems, and respectful of human rights.

10. Recognition of the local risk patterns across the country and strengthen the capacity of LGUs
for disaster risk reduction at the regional and local levels.

PNP Operational Procedures on Critical Incident Management

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is at the forefront of crisis situations, it plays an essential
and active role in crisis management in the country (Castillo, Jr., and Gabao, 2021, p. 51). PNP
accomplished this role by organizing its own Incident Management Committee (IMC) in support
of the NPOC and NDRRMC.

The Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) is designated as the Cabinet -
Officer Primarily Responsible (C-OPR) for threats to peace and order such as civil disturbance,
violent labor strikes. riots, anarchy, disorderly mass demonstrations. The SILG acts also as the
Vice Chairman on Disaster Preparedness, NDRRMC

All actions of the PNP in addressing the crisis are in support of the POC-CMCS and DRRMCS
with common objectives of saving lives and properties, resolution of the critical incidents at the
earliest possible time, and restoration of normalcy in the affected areas (PNP, 2013, p.143).
According to the Revised Philippine National Police Operational Procedures (2013), there are
two types of incidents to be handled. They are as follows:

1. Man-Made Incidents These are incidents induced by man, to which the PNP is tasked to
respond in two different situations (PNP, 2013, p. 142):

a. Managing an incident that can be resolved by the responding policemen without Crisis
Management Committee (CMC) involvement; example: Hostage taking of a father to his son.
b. Managing an incident that entails CMC directed operations, which in turn, require the
implementation of special tasks by one or more of the urgent services of the Philippine
government. Both actions of the PNP in either situation follow the Incident Command System
(ICS) operational procedures (PNP, 2013, p. 142).

2. Natural/Disaster Incidents In the event of natural/ disaster incidents, the PNP shall act as the
first responder in the affected area in order to provide area security and support to the conduct of
search and rescue operations to be spearheaded by the area Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Committees (DRRMC) (PNP, 2013, p. 142).

PNP's Alert Level During Man Made Critical Incidents

The Revised Philippine National Police Operational Procedures(2013) posits Four Alert Levels
during Human-Induced (Man-Made) Critical Incident. The Appropriate man-made critical
incident alert level shall be disseminated to all concerned offices through the PNP National
Operations Center (NOC) (PNP, 013, p. 146). They are as f llows:

Level 1 (Low)

There is no information to suggest a specific man-made Critical Incident may occur.

Level 2 (Moderate)

Man-made Critical Incident is possible, but not likely.

Level 3 (High)

There is a strong possibility that manmade Critical Incidents may occur within a short period of
time.

Level 4 (Extreme)

A man-made Critical Incident has just occurred or has just been preempted; or incidents are
expected.

PNP's Stages in Disaster Management

The Revised Philippine National Police Operational Procedures (2013), introduced Three levels/
Stages in Natural Disaster Management. They are as follows (PNP, 2013. p. 146):

Level 1-Green/Pre- Disaster Stage

It is when there are no disasters or calamities the disaster management team should conduct Pro-
active Assessment activities such as (PNP, 2013, p. 147-148):
a. Conduct of Risk Mapping and identification of disaster-prone areas;

b. Identification of staging areas, evacuation routes and evacuation centers;

c. Conduct of disaster drills (earthquake, fire, etc.) simulation exercises and trainings;

d. Holding of regular Task Groups and Sub-Task Groups meeting together with respective levels
of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils;

e. Capability enhancement (Manpower, Machines, Materials, Money and Methods);

f. Production and distribution of Information Education Campaign materials, and g. Conduct of

community organizational work for

various purposes such as:

iSewage clean-up;

iiDe-clogging of water ways, canals, esteros;

iiiClearing of squatter shanties and unauthorized occupants in disaster prone areas; and

iv Other community mobilization activities.

Level 2 Red/ Disaster Response Stage

It is when there is an official forecast of an incoming natural disaster in the country and when an
unexpected natural disaster suddenly occurs in the country (PNP, 2013, p. 148) This is where the
Disaster Incident Management activities are done, such as:

a. Activation of Disaster Incident Management Task Groups in areas expected to be hit by the
weather disturbance twenty-four (24) hours prior to the expected landfall or occurrence;

b. Employment of alarm and warning systems as stipulated under DILG MC 2009-165, such as
the use of police sirens and other portable warning systems capable of producing loud wailing
sound;

c. Activation of the PNP Disaster incident Management Committee;

d. Coordination with NDRRMC to support its disasterresponse;

e. Activation of PNPSCDM National Disaster Operations Center (NDOC) to be co located at the

NHQ PNP National Operations Center;

f. Activation of Command Post by Task Groups whose area is hit by the disaster;

g. Forced relocation/pre-emptive evacuation of residents in flood-prone areas in coordination

with corresponding LDRRC; and
h. Conduct of timely and rapid disaster response according to the needs in the disaster/calamity
area such as search & rescue operation, evacuation & relief operation, emergency medical
services, and security & traffic management operation in support and coordination with
NDRRMC.

Level 3- White/ Post-Disaster Stage

It is when the Natural disaster is officially over, and Support to Recovery and Rehabilitation
Efforts are being done, these activities includes (PNP, 2013, p. 148):

a. Get reports from concerned Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council the Damage
Assessment and Needs Analysis of the affected areas;

b. Deployment of relief personnel for relief operations;

c. Provide security and traffic assistance to returning evacuees;

d. Submit After Disaster Response Report to C, PNP copy furnished DRRMC; and

e. De-activation of the PNP SCDM by the C, PNP through the Chairman/Task Coordinator, PNP
SCDM when the situation is already manageable in a disaster stricken area.
 REVIEW QUESTIONS: CHAPTER 3

1.What are some of the Legal Regimes in Crisis Management?

2. What are the principles on Terrorism particularly on Hostage- Taking Situations?

3. What are the principles an Disaster Risk Reduction and Management?

4. What are the PNP s Alert Level During Man Made Critical Incidents?

5. What are the PNP's Stages in Disaster Management?