Republic of the Philippines

Department of the Interior and Local Government

National Police Commission
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF, PNP
Camp Crame, Quezon City

SUBJECT: Letter of Instructions 22/09 “BAYANIHAN”

(Barangay Peacekeeping Operations)

TO : See Distribution

DATE :

1. REFERENCES:

a. Article II, Section 4, 1987 Philippine Constitution;

b. Section16, RA 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991;
c. RA 8551 (Community Oriented Policing System);
d. LOI 32/2002 (PNP Organizational Plan “SAMBAYAN”); and
e. LOI 29/2002 (PNP Communication Plan “SANTINIG”).

2. SITUATION:

The 1987 Philippine Constitution specifically on the Declaration of

Principles and State Policies states that the prime duty of the Government is to serve
and protect the people. The Government may call upon the people to defend the
State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions
provided by law, to render personal, military or civil service.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) recognizes the role of the Barangay
Tanods, Bantay Bayan, Civilian Volunteer Organizations, Barangay Auxiliaries,
Non-Government Organizations and other People's Organization that can be
utilized as Force Multipliers in the fight against criminality/insurgency/terrorism.
These organizations are also valuable partners in the development of the
community.

Executive Order No. 546 authorizes the PNP to deputize the barangay
tanods as force multiplier in the implementation of the peace and order plan subject
to the concurrence of the appropriate Local Chief Executive through the Local Peace
and Order Council (LPOC).

In the past, various anti-criminality strategies and concepts were adopted

by the PNP in its effort to curb criminality issues and concerns affecting the
prevailing peace and order situation. However, most of the concepts were found out
to be unsustainable as these were just revised versions of the crime prevention
concepts from other countries and are unsuitable to the existing criminality situation
peculiar to the Philippines.
 It is along this line that a peacekeeping concept responsive to the unique
criminality and peace & order condition of the Philippines be crafted and adopted.
The concept shall basically entail PNP members to lead in the fight against all forms
of criminality issues/concerns distinct to their area of responsibility, to include
insurgency problem, through active citizen’s involvement and community
empowerment.

3. MISSION:

The PNP, concurrent with its missions and functions, shall conduct
community policing and ensure continuing active community involvement geared
towards the attainment of peace and order.

4. OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of this LOI is to set guidelines in the establishment of

effective community partnership geared towards the attainment of peace and order.

Specifically, it focuses on the following:

a. To establish an effective community policing machinery through

community partnership.

b. To enhance partnership between the PNP and the community in crime

prevention, anti-communist/insurgency, anti-terrorism and community assistance
programs.

c. To form force multipliers thru the empowerment of the people

towards community involvement and participation specifically in the maintenance
of peace and order in their locality.

d. To establish a lasting relationship based on mutual respect, trust

and confidence between the PNP and the community.

5. Definition of Terms:

Barangay Peacekeeping Operations (BPKO) - is a comprehensive, and

catch-all anti-crime strategy that seeks to empower all stakeholders to share the
responsibility of peacekeeping and order maintenance towards self-policing.

Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) - are the main operators

of BPKO at the Barangay level which are trained, equipped and are fast, agile and
responsive to the needs of the community and is expected to work at the ground
level where crime operates.

Police Community Precinct (PCP) is the smallest PNP command field

unit under a city/municipal police station.

Local Government Unit (LGU) - includes the Provincial, City, Municipal

and Barangay governmental organization as included in the Local Government Code
(RA 7160).
 Force Multipliers - are those organizations outside the government which
perform public safety services for free and in support of governmental functions.

Public Safety Services - Those governmental functions which tend to

ease the citizenries living conditions toward a peaceful and prosperous way of living.

6. EXECUTION:

a. Concept of Operations: (See Annex “C” - Operational Paradigm)

In carrying out this plan, the PNP shall adopt the basic concept of
Barangay Peacekeeping Operations (BPKO) through the employment of Barangay
Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT). The BPKO shall be the PNP’s “catch-all”
strategy in the maintenance of peace and order. The BPATs shall be composed of
different sectors in the community as force multipliers. They shall be under the
supervision and control of the lowest PNP unit in the locality known as the Police
Community Precincts.

The BPATs, as the main actors, shall conduct community-based

activities and information campaign in support of the PNP’s anti-criminality effort,
internal security operation, and disaster management and control program.

A Barangay Peacekeeping Desk (BPDs) shall also be established at

the City and Municipal Police Stations (CPS/MPS) and at the PCPs or Kababayan
Centers, where local residents and police officers in the area shall meet regularly to
discuss peace and order problems and other matters of common interest.

The BPATs shall function solely for crime prevention and on-the-spot
conflict resolution. Any case that will require hearing or falls within the auspices of
the Barangay Justice System shall be referred to it and subsequently reflected in its
logbook. Cases which need police intervention must be acted upon by the police
immediately.

The organizational structure of the police-community precincts shall

facilitate the rendering of direct assistance and service to the people by line
elements. Command of line elements shall be as close as practicable to the people.

In rural areas where there are no PCPs or Kababayan areas, BPDs

shall be at the Barangay Halls and shall be visited on a regular basis by designated
Police supervisors and lead the force multipliers on carrying out their daily duties and
functions as mentioned.

In this endeavor, the guiding principles shall be the AOM Concept

(Awareness-Organization-Mobilization).

b. Phasing (Time Frame):

This LOI shall be undertaken according to the following phases:

1) Awareness Phase:
 The PNP, in close coordination with LGU and other sectors, shall
organize barangay officials, barangay tanods, and other potential force multipliers to
compose the initial core group of BPATs. The members will be screened and
carefully selected from among the existing barangay officials, barangay tanods and
other anti-crime groups within the community. The Chief of Police and Station
Commanders of City/Municipal Police Stations shall direct their policemen to
include in their patrol and visitation of the barangays under it and establishments
which are high risk to criminal elements.

2) Organization Phase:

The PNP shall conduct the training of the BPATs based on a

standard Program of Instructions (POI). Those policemen who will be assigned to
conduct patrol and visitations shall undergo training/seminar on conflict resolution
and on Barangay Justice System and its implementing rules to be able to advise the
BPATs and members on questions/matters appertaining to it.

3) Mobilization Phase:

The organized BPATs shall report to their assigned PCPs or at the

Barangay Halls (for rural areas), which shall also serve as their official office to man
their respective BPDs. This is to account the members and disseminate to them
pertinent information before deployment to patrol duties. Their function shall be
limited to barangay patrol and on the spot conflict resolution as well as to hasten
delivery of basic public safety services to support police operations within the AOR of
concerned PCP. Law enforcement function shall be limited to city, municipal and
barangay ordinances to referrals and mediation in accordance with RA 7160 (Local
Government Code). But if the instant case merits a hearing, it shall be coursed
through the Barangay Justice System. Cases that need immediate police
intervention must be referred to the nearest police unit for appropriate action.

The BPATs shall conduct patrol within the respective PCP area of
responsibility. Known crime-prone areas must be prioritized and constantly visited.
Barangay ugnayan/communication with the residents regarding their
problems/concerns be maximized.

The BPDs shall maintain a logbook of all events and matters that
happened or acted upon during each tour of duty. The records therein shall be
considered confidential unless required by appropriate authority.

4) Assessment/Evaluation Phase:

The concerned Police Station shall form a committee to conduct a

quarterly assessment report after this LOI has become operational and submit the
same to higher Office for their information/comment and recommendation. The
membership of the committee shall include at least an NGO, Religious Sector and
LGU (City/Municipal/Barangay) as the case may be.

c. Tasks:

1) NHQ Directorial Staff

 a) TDPCR

a.1) Act as the Overall Supervisor of this LOI;

a.2) Recommend and advise the DHRDD in the design of

appropriate Enhancement Training Program for BPATs in coordination with the DILG,
LGUs and other concerned government agencies; this training include PNP
members who will be in direct contact with the BPATs; and

a.3) Perform other tasks as directed.

b) TDO

b.1) Assist DPCR in the implementation of this LOI;

b.2) Formulate operational guidelines pertaining to the duties

and functions of PNP and the BPATs; and

b.3) Perform other tasks as directed.

c) TDHRDD

c.1) Provide and advise PROs in the formulation of a Standard

Enhancement Training Program/Program of Instruction (POI) for BPATs Unit and
involved policemen; and

c.2) Perform other tasks as directed.

d) TDI

d.1) Assist DHRDD and PROs in providing appropriate

intelligence and investigation training for BPATs;

d.2) Collate and interpret intelligence information submitted by

BPATs; and

d.3) Perform other tasks as directed.

e) TDIDM

e.1) Assist DHRDD and PROs in providing appropriate

investigation training for BPATs; and

e.2) Perform other task as directed.

f) TDL

f.1) Provide logistical support to any BPATs training activity to be

undertaken by DHRDD and DPCR and
 f.2) Perform other tasks as directed

g) TDC

g.1) Provide funds support to any training activity to be

undertaken by DHRDD and other operational requirement of the LOI;

g.2) Perform other tasks as directed.

2) National Support Units & Personal Staff

a) Police Community Relations Group (PCRG)

a.1) Assist the PROs in the conduct of PCR activities and

training of stakeholders;

a.2) Assist the PROs in the development of information

education materials pertaining to crime prevention and anti-insurgency activities; and

a.3) Perform other tasks as directed.

b) Public Information Office (PIO)

b.1) Disseminate information through press releases, press

conferences, interviews thru tri-media, SMS and Information Technology concerning
the gains made in the implementation of this LOI; and

b.2) Perform other tasks as directed.

c) Health Service (HS)

c.1) Support the conduct of medical and dental outreach sorties

initiated by the BPATs; and

c.2) Perform other tasks as directed.

3) Police Regional Offices (PROs)

a) Establish BPATs in all PCPs within AOR;

b) Maintain a consolidated record of established BPATs, as well as

the lists of organized and trained members; also to maintain roster of PNP
members who will be involved in this LOI;

c) Coordinate and integrate organizational activities pertaining to

the establishment of BPATs in AOR;

d) Monitor and supervise the daily operations of BPATs;

e) Conduct periodic performance evaluation of BPATs and make

appropriate recommendations for improvement, as well as for awards and
recognition to deserving members;
 f) Conduct continuous capability building of BPATs through regular
skills enhancement training; and

g) Perform other tasks as directed.

d. Coordinating Instructions:

1) Respect for human rights and strict adherence with the PNP
Operational Procedure (Revised Rules of Engagement) shall always be emphasized
and observed in the conduct of activities/operations in the implementation of this
LOI.

2) PROs shall utilize the BPATs as a community based policing

strategy to address anti-criminality or anti-insurgency as the case may be.

3) Barangays may be clustered for mutual defense to address the

problem of personnel deficiency.

4) Unit commanders should ensure that the PNP members who are
designated as PNP supervisors to BPATs in a particular area shall remain in such
designation, devoted solely to this undertaking and should not be utilized for other
tasks.
5) The Group Directors of the RMGs/PMGs shall continue conduct
anti-insurgency and security operations to ensure safety of PNP supervisors and
BPAT members while undertaking the activities stipulated in this LOI.

6) Maximum coordination with National Government Agencies (NGAs),

Local Government Units (LGUs), Peace and Order Councils (POCs), Non-
Government Organizations (NGOs) and other sectors of the community is highly
encouraged.

7) Unit Commanders are encouraged to participate actively.

8) All RDs, PROs shall submit to the NHQ-PNP (Attn: DPCR-CAD)

respective IMPLANS to this LOI NLT fifteen (15) days after receipt hereof and reports
on significant accomplishments and other peacekeeping activities.

7. EFFECTIVITY:

This LOI shall take effect immediately upon signature.

DISTRIBUTION:

TDI TDO
TDL D, PCRG
TDC D, HS
TDPCR C, PIO
TDHRDD RDs, PROs 1-13, COR, ARMM and NCRPO

Attachments:

“A” - Basic Concept on Barangay Peacekeeping Operations

“B” - BPAT Ideal Structure
“C” - Operational Paradigm
“D” - Phasing (Time Frame)
“E” - Barangay Peacekeeping Desk Functions
“F” - BPAT Ideal Daily Activities

ANNEX “A”

BASIC CONCEPT ON BARANGAY PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

I. INTRODUCTION:

The PNP with its myriad and diverse tasks and functions is so huge and slow
to respond due to its sheer weight and enormousness; yet crime and criminality have
become so dynamic, inadvertive and fast.

Thus, time calls for the "creative dismemberment" of such PNP tasks and
functions, the empowerment of the community to formulate and implement its unique
policing practices, projects, programs, procedures and priorities.

This creative dismemberment of PNP dinosaur will spawn small Barangay

Peacekeeping Action Teams which are trained and equipped and are fast, agile and
responsive to the needs of the community and is expected to work at the ground
level where crime operates.

The Barangay Peacekeeping Operations is a comprehensive, and catch-all

anti-crime strategy that seeks to empower all stakeholders to share the responsibility
of peacekeeping and order maintenance towards self-policing. This is also an
effective tool in addressing some issues in relation to the internal security operations.

It aims to draw the strong support and active participation of key players and
stakeholders in the field of intelligence gathering and some operational aspects of
policing. It is firmly anchored on the belief that sound policing germinates in effective
and efficient policing at the barangay level.

It is a means to ensure the effective prevention, control and suppression of

crime and efficient management of disasters and emergencies.
 The general concept of Barangay Peacekeeping is to involve the Barangay
Officials, Tanods, CVOs and other Force multipliers in the task of crime prevention,
control and suppression in partnership with the PNP from the Provincial down to the
Community Precincts level and the Local Government Executives and Heads of
Concerned Agencies.

II. CORE COMPONENTS

A. Change management is needed to fully absorb and adopt this strategy at

the barangay level. Each component must work together and make the necessary
adjustments in programs and activities that will most benefit the community at large.
The inherent resistance to change must be recognized and overcome with less
organizational or societal dysfunctions and turbulence.

B. Problem Solving must be adopted as a method. Instead of concentrating

on incidents, one must be able to look deeper into the causes of the problems and
how it can best be treated socially and culturally. This is done in the premise that no
two incidents are the same and therefore must not be treated with the same formula.
Each incident must be carefully evaluated and analyzed on a case-to- case basis.
Emphasis is given here to specific area and not to the entire township or city.

C. Community Partnership spells the need for the whole neighborhood to get
involved in policing and law enforcement. People in the community must not only rely
on the police for their public safety needs but must also cooperate and participate to
make the strategy work. The community must depart from the role of mere
spectators but take steps to fortify themselves by securing their own backyards,
providing information and getting involved in investigation.

ANNEX “B”

ORGANIZATION OF BARANGAY PEACEKEEPING ACTION TEAMS (BPATS)

The Barangay Peacekeeping Action teams are organized to serve as the main
operators of Barangay Peacekeeping in their respective localities. They shall serve
as the primary force multipliers of the police in controlling, suppressing and
preventing crime and criminality at the Barangay level

BPAT Major Activities

Law Enforcement - will perform beat patrol operations, anti-illegal drug

operations, traffic direction and control, street crime prevention, control and
suppression, and public information and assistance. It is composed of Barangay
tanods, traffic aides, security guards, members of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse
Councils and anti-crime groups.

United Front Against Crime - is responsible in communication and anti-crime

advocacy support, including intelligence gathering. It is composed of non-
government organizations, sectoral groups, council of elders, homeowners
associations, radio groups and gun clubs. It shall form the formidable shield of the
community against crime through information dissemination, mobilization and
program advocacy activities.

Disaster Control - will assist in rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations

during calamities and emergencies. It is composed of Barangay tanods, non-
government organizations and volunteer groups.
 BARANGAY PEACEKEEPING ACTION TEAMS (BPATs)

PCP / STATION BARANGAY

COMMANDER CHAIRMAN

BARANGAY
PEACE AND
ORDER
COMMITTEE

POLICE BRGY EX-O

SUPERVISOR

BPATs
BPATs
BPATs

Peoples
Community Organizations/
Policing Support to ISO

BADAC BRGY TRAFFIC SECURITY OTHER ANTI- COUNCIL SECTORAL HOME

NGOs
TANOD AIDES GUARDS CRIME GROUPS OF ELDERS GROUPS OWNER

RESCUE, RELIEF CASE TRACKING

AND REHAB AND
OPERATIONS MONITORING
ANNEC “C”

BARANGAY PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS OPERATIONAL PARADIGM

INPUT PROCESS

 Organizational Activities
 Organization & mobilization
program of different community
sectors for Anti criminality and
counter insurgency, disaster
relief
Programs & Barangay
Policies to (PNP Peacekeeping
address & Action Teams /
criminality LGUs) CVOs and
issues and other Force
concerns Multiplier • Public Information and
Advocacy

Info. Campaign thru tri media,

SMS & Info Technology, etc

Improved and
Progress and sustained peace-
development keeping and internal
security situation

OUTPUT
ANNEX “D”

PHASING (TIME FRAME)

1st-2nd 3rd-4th 5th-8th 9th

PHASE ONWARDS
WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK
1. AWARENESS PHASE
- Organization of initial core
group of BPATs
- Screening of potential
members
2. ORGANIZATION PHASE
- Formulation of standard POI
- Training on BPAT Concept &
Barangay Justice System
3. MOBILIZATION PHASE
- Establishment of BPDs
- Conduct of Barangay Patrols
- Coordination with LGUS,
POCs for the delivery of
government services
- Referral of appropriate
cases to the Barangay
Justice System
- Patrol on crime-prone areas
- Barangay visitations and
ugnayan
4. ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION
PHASE
- Formation of Committee to
assess effectiveness of LOI
- Recommend and implement
corrections and remedial
measures
A NNEX “E”

FUNCTIONS OF BARANGAY PEACEKEEPING DESKS

1. Coordinate and mobilize Barangay Tanods and other Force Multipliers to

augment the PNP personnel in the aspect of barangay peacekeeping
operations.

2. Act as liaison between the police and barangay officials in their respective
barangays..

3. Analyze, conduct studies and make recommendations on how to undertake

barangay peacekeeping operations in their locality.

4. Coordinate the training of barangay tanods to enhance their knowledge and

operational skills.

5. Serve as the barangay complaint and public assistance center at their

respective levels.
ANNEX “F”

Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team Daily Activities

Roll Call Training

Maintenance of Uniform and Individual Equipment

Keeping of a Case Notebook and Journal

Establishment of Close Working Relationship with Residents

Identifying Crime-prone Areas and Problem Personalities

Reporting Actions Taken

Responding to Crime

Lateral Coordination with Technical People

Record Check of Suspects

Arrest of Suspects

Case Documentation

Appearance as Prosecution Witness

Monitor movements or incursions of Communist Terrorists

Establishment of communication Link with Police