History of the PNP

The eventual capture of the elusive leader of the first

Philippine Republic General Emilio Aguinaldo, on March 23,
1901, an event which signaled the end of Filipino-American
war, the restoration of peace and order in the Philippines
remained a vexing problem to the colonizing Americans.

A number of Aguinaldo’s followers opted to carry out the struggle

for independence. Hostilities continued in some parts of the country, namely
Batangas, Mindoro, Cebu, Bohol and Samar. Meanwhile outlaws took advantage of
the confusions and intensified their depredations. Moreover, the social unrest created
by five year of war which begun in 1896 had bred several uprisings of other acts of
violence.

Realizing the fact that military solution to the problem is unwired; the military
authorities opted to recommend to the Second Philippine Commission headed by
William Taft to take over. In accordance with the instructions of the Secretary of War
Elihu Root, the Commission took over the government from the military on July 1901
with Taft as Civil Governor.

With the advent of civilian rule in the Philippines,

a question arose as to who should be responsible
for maintaining law and order in the island. The
existing local police forces were too small to cope
up with the growing problems. Vice Governor
Luke R. Wright, the concurrent Secretary of the
Department of Commerce and police for the U.S.
Army in the Philippines, who objected to toss the
problem to the military, recommended to his
fellow commissioners the immediate establishment of an organization to be charged
with the task of maintaining peace and order in the localities already placed under
civil rule. The proposal was welcomed by the Philippine Commission and in one of its
first sessions, passed Organic Act No. 175, creating an insular police force. Titled "An
Act Providing for the organization and government of an insular Constabulary and for
the inspection of the municipal police", the legislation surprisingly called for an
integrated approach and structure which was to be adopted by the Philippine
government 75 years later.

PHILIPPINE COMMISSION IMPLEMENTS ORGANIC ACT 175

On August 8, 1901, with the sanction of the U. S. War Department, Henry T. Alien,
a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, a regular captain but then a lieutenant
colonel of the cavalry, U.S. Volunteers in the Philippines officially designated and
confirms by the Commission as Chief of Constabulary. With his designation as Chief
of Philippine Constabulary was formally inaugurated and on some day buckled down
to work.
Alien issued General Order No 1 appointing some 68 hand-picked officers, mostly
from the U.S. Volunteers in accordance with Act No 175 with rank of first, second,
third, fourth class inspectors, Constabulary ranks that were later to be replaced by
military titles.

But while these hand-picked officers had the necessary military preparations, they
did not have any training and experience and police work. Worse, they had very little
knowledge of the Filipino and his society. Hence, these officers were given crash
course to properly acquaint them with the laws and traditions of the country and the
customs of the people. After their training, they were broken up into groups of four
or five, composed of a captain and three or four lieutenants and were sent to the
different parts of the country to recruit, organize and train the Filipino entities in
police duty.

DECENTRALIZATION OF CONTROL

The problem of effectively controlling a vast area from one central headquarters
decided to decentralize the same. So, on October 14, 1901, the PC Chief issued
General Order No 49 grouping the pacified provinces into three (3) Constabulary
districts.

The first district included the provinces of

Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga,
Pangasinan, Tarlac and City of Manila where the
district headquarters was located. And Chief
Baker was assigned as district inspector. The
second district was composed of the provinces of
Albay, Ambos, Camarines (now Cam Nte and
Cam Sur) Cavite, Masbate, Sorsogon and
Tayabas (now Quezon), which then included the
island of Marinduque and placed under Maj Taylor, the district headquarters of which
was set in Lucena, Tayabas. The third district comprised by the provinces of Antique,
Bohol, Capiz, Iloilo, Leyte, Misamis (Mis Occ and Mis Or), Negros Occidental, Negros
Oriental, Samar and Surigao. This district was under Capt. Goldsborough with
headquarters in Iloilo.

One day after, Chief Alien published Gen. Order No 49, Gov. Taft sent a report to War
Secretary Root and spoke on the PC set up, saying "The general scheme is to create
an insular police force of not more than one hundred and fifty men for each province
selected from the native thereof, who may be mounted in whole or in part and who
are placed under the immediate command of one or more, not exceeding four
provincial inspectors. File whole body is placed under the control of a Chief and four
assistant Chiefs of Constabulary. This scheme was not followed because while full
powers are given to properly arm, equip, maintain and discipline force", the enlistees
were ill-armed, ill-equipped and ill-maintained.

POLICE INTEGRATION
 The places affected by police integration were in
the outskirts of Manila, like Caloocan and Pasay
which became the favorite refuge of rebels, and
criminals from Manila, due to the limited area of
operation of the integration police system it
could operate only in pacified areas.

Later in 1904, the PC Chief was redesignated as

Director of Constabulary and the routine police
duty, in these areas were entrusted to the PC. With the total lifting of martial rule in
Luzon and the Visayas and the assignment to the PC of routine police work in
Mindanao and Sulu, the need for the creation of additional Constabulary districts
arose. Hence on June 13,1904, the PC Chief created through General Order No 73,
two new districts. The fourth districts which comprised of the provinces of Abra,
Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Mountain Province and Nueva
Vizcaya with headquarters in San Fernando, La Union (later transferred to Baguio
City), while the fifth district with headquarters in Zamboanga, embraced all the
provinces of Mindanao and Sulu.

FILIPINIANIZATION OF THE CONSTABULARY

This gradual Filipinianization of the Constabulary officer

corps proved to be a sound move for World War 1 was soon
to break out and to drag the United State into it and many
of the top Constabulary's American officers joined the U.S.
Expeditionary Forces to France. This development gave the
opportunity for the Filipinos to run the Constabulary
themselves. The first to be given the chance was Brig
General Rafael Crame, appointed PC Chief in December
1917. Thus, for the first time in 16 years of existence, the
Constabulary was placed under Filipino leadership.

With the assumption of Gen Crame, the Constabulary districts were renamed and
their respective districts redefined. The Fourth District came to be known as District
of Northern Luzon based in San Fernando, La Union; the First District was renamed
District of Central Luzon; the Second District was renamed District of Southern Luzon;
the Third District was renamed District of Visayas and the Fifth District was renamed
district of Mindanao based in Zamboanga.

THE CONSTABLE UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH ACT

The National Defense Act or Commonwealth Act No. 1 on December 1935, was
enacted creating the Philippine Army and this ended the 35 years of service and
experience of the Philippine Constabulary as an insular police force. The Philippine
Constabulary personnel and duties were transferred to the control of the Chief of
Staff of the Philippine Army pursuant to Executive Order No 11 dated January 11,
1936.
 President Manuel L Quezon saw that there was
an urgent need of an army to cope tip with the
worsening international conflicts. In his desire to
complete this defense program before the
country's independence after its 10-year
transition period as commonwealth government,
President Quezon asked General Mac Arthur to
under-take the country's defense build tip. Their
combined efforts, however, became almost
useless for as General Mac Arthur put it, "war came in five years and American aid
came too late and too little".

During the organization of the Philippine Army, veteran Constabulary officers were
appointed to key positions in the Army. Brig Gen Jose delos Reyes headed the Army
as Acting Chief of Staff. Brig Gen Basilio Valdes immediate past PC Chief and Col
Guillermo Francisco were appointed assistant Chief of Staff.

The insular police duties of the defunct Philippine Constabulary were entrusted to the
State Police created by Commonwealth Act No.88 approved on October 26, 1936. All
municipal city police forces and provincial guard organization were consolidated and
placed under the control and supervision of the Department of Interior and were
called the State Police. This State Police was assigned the duty to properly preserve
law and order and vigilantly prevent the commission and perpetration of public
offenses.

THE CONSTABULARY RECONSTITUTED

Unable to cope up with the worsened peace and order situation faced by the new
government, the State Police was abolished in 1938 at the instance of President
Quezon himself. This approval of Commonwealth Act No 343 on June 25, 1938
reconstituted the Philippine Constabulary. This act, further implemented by President
Quezon's Executive Order No. 153, specifically withdraw the Philippine Constabulary
from the Army as an independent unit and detailed as a National Police Force.

Placed under the Department of Interior, the

reactivated Constabulary was empowered to
prevent and suppress brigandage, unlawful
assemblies, riots, insurrections and other
breaches of peace and violations of the law, to
make arrests and seizures according to law and
to execute any lawful warrant or order of arrest
issued against any person for violation of law.

Brig Gen Guillermo Francisco was appointed Chief of Constabulary which he held until
1942. During the year after its revitalization, the PC set up and strength were vastly
improved. A striking force, the General Service Battalion was organized at Camp
Crame in Quezon City. As a Combat Unit, the General Service troops were better
trained and equipped than any of the Provincial Constabulary commands and
detachments.

Due to the worsening international unrest, the Constabulary's strength was increased
from 7,500-15,000 men. The First and Second PC Regiments were activated.
Meanwhile, a third regiment was organized and trained at Camp Keithley in Lanao in
September, 1941. These three (3) PC regiments were separately trained. After
intensive training, Brig Gen George Barker Jr inducted the First Regiment into the
United States Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) in October 15, 1941; the Second
Regiment, in December 12, 1941.

THE CONSTABLE DURING WORLD WAR II

The Filipino nation wake up in the morning of December 8, 1941 to the grim news of
the Japanese surprise attack in Pearl Harbor. General Mac Arthur himself stunned by
the news, knew that the Archipelago was in the grave danger, under immediate aid
from the United States would arrive on time.

In simultaneous bombings, missions Japanese Naval

Plane from Formosa attack Clark Field in Pampanga, Iba
Field in Zamboanga, John Flay Air Base in Baguio City and
Tuguegarao in December 8, 1941. Aircraft on the ground
and installations in this airfield were severely destroyed,
reducing the U.S. Air Force's strength to barely half.

On same day, the 2nd Battalion of the First PC Regiment

was ordered to Bataan immediately, while the Second PC
Regiment and the remaining units of the First Regiment
were ordered to remain in the Greater Manila Area to round up all aliens believed to
be sympathetic to the enemy. In addition, these units were ordered to secure centers
of communication, all public utilities, as well as the metropolitan area against
subversive elements.

By January 1942, most of the Constabulary Forces that composed the 2nd Regular
Division (USAFFE) were in Bataan Peninsula with other Fil-American Forces. An order
of the day said, "On Bataan and Corregidor, in Aparri, Lingayen and Atimonan,
everywhere in the islands where invaders dared to set foot, Constabulary troops
distinguished themselves in action against overwhelming odds".

The Constabulary's participation in the country's defense during World War 11 cannot
be measured or told in exact detail. These deeds of valor during these days and hours
of war which forever lost to history. Suffice to say that the Filipino soldiers stood his
ground valiantly for love of liberty, our country and people.

The blazing chapters of heroism during the war year were not exclusively parts of the
Constabulary's epic story alone, although incidents involving the Constabulary
Division have been singled out in most cases.
THE CONSTABLE UNDERGROUND

Guerrilla units sprang tip in all parts of the country by the middle of 1942. Reports of
the existence of guerrilla in the Philippines reached Gen Mac Arthur in Australia, first
through a radio message relayed by Col Nakar, a guerrilla leader in Central Luzon in
June, and later on confirmed by first-hand reports of Capt William Osborne, Damon
Guase and Frank Young.

Gen Mac Arthur immediately reorganized these

units and assigned officers of his headquarters
to work closely with these units. USAFFE
headquarters in Australia took steps to
communicate with resistance units and centers
in the Philippines.

Before the end of 1942, most guerrilla units and

centers in the Philippines had already
established radio contacts with USAFFE headquarters in Australia. These movements
reported their own activities and operations, the enemy's movements and condition
of their respective areas.

Of all the guerrilla centers, the Mindanao guerrilla movements were the best
organized to conduct operations. Like the Visayan resistance movements, the
Mindanao guerrillas were able to make early contacts with Australia. Due to the
island's proximity to Australia, the first assistance of supplies and equipment from
USAFFE headquarters arrived in Mindanao.

THE POST WAR CONSTABLE

On October 28, 1944, President Sergio Osmeña issued all

Executive Order creating all insular police called Military
Police Command, USAFFE pursuant to USAFFE Gen
Orders No 50 & 51 redesignated it as Military Police
Command, AFWESPAC. This idea was conceived to
restore the bad image of the Constabulary during the
Japanese occupation when these constables were made
to run after the guerrillas.

However, after the years of existence, the Constabulary was revived on July 1, 1947.
About 12, 000 officers and men were withdrawn from the Military Police Command
and transferred to the Department of Interior and constituted the National Police
Force designated is the Philippine Constabulary. All functions of the Military Police
Command except those military in character "were thereafter exercised and assumed
by the PC in connection with which Sections 832-840 & 848 of the Revised
Administrative Code were declared in full force and effect, pursuant to Executive
Order Nr 94 dated October 4, 1947.
PROCLAMATION 1081

The early seventies saw the rapid escalation of subversive

activities of the insurgents throughout the country. The
New People's Army, the military arm of the revitalized
Communist Party of the Philippines was openly defying
government troop in the countryside. Countless
subversive organizations had cropped up in almost
sectors of the populace. In Mindanao, a secessionist was
beginning to gain ground among the Muslims.

This situation precipitated various reforms and innovations with Philippine

Constabulary and program of activities. The special units and task force were called
upon to double their efforts and work move closely with government agencies and
civic groups in an attempt to stem the rising tide of chaos and anarchy throughout
the country. Unfortunately, the Constabulary could not move freely, its hands, as
well as those of the military establishments were tied.

The Constabulary was in this virtual state of helplessness when the country begun to
be rocked rallies and demonstrations. Although President Marcos later dismissed
these happenings as the inevitable outcome of the modernizing process,
modernization being a disquieting, at times convulsive undertaking because it is fact
revolutionary, it was in truth, like all the violent rallies and demonstrations that
followed were pan of the communist plan to sow chaos and anarchy and thereby pave
the way for CPP takeover.

So, on September 21, 1972, the then President Ferdinand E Marcos proclaimed
Martial Law throughout the country by virtue of Proclamation 1081. This law
diagnosed the actual peace and order situation undertaken by these lawless elements
of the communist and other armed groups organized to out throw the Republic of the
Philippines by armed violence and force which assured the magnitude of an actual
state of war against our people and the Republic of the Philippines.

In a month's time, peace and order was restored. Bombing suddenly stopped. Rallies
and demonstrations, and their attendant brutal violence ceased to be the order of
the day, NPA's and secessionists were forced to retreat to the jungles and lie low.
The private armies and the terror they used to spread disappeared. The citizen was
once again safe to walk the street and perform his daily chore. Justice and sacnity
once more reigned.
 The Commandant was also the Chief of the Integrated
National Police (the municipal police force for the larger towns
and cities). The PC was organized on similar lines to the army,
and consisted of a General Staff located at its General
Headquarters at Camp Crame, Manila, and 12 Regional
Commands consisting of 104 Provincial Commands; these
controlled the 450 Constabulary companies which performed
all the day-to-day police work.

The Regions were based on the country's political regions and

directly controlled the various Highway Patrol, Rangers and
investigative groups.

PC headquarters directly controlled many other services needed at a national level

such as the Special Action Group, Central Crime Laboratory, White Collar Crime
Group, and Office of Special Investigations (which was a counter intelligence group).

The Philippine Constabulary Rangers, or PC Rangers, were independent light infantry

companies which served as a counter-insurgency force similar to United States Army
Rangers and were organized into 12 large regional companies.

The Constabulary also maintained the following units:

 Constabulary Boat Service to patrol the extensive waters of the Philippines,

 Crime and Forensic labs, and
 National Constabulary Investigations Service which acted in a similar way to
the FBI (the National Bureau of Investigation was formed later).

The Integrated National Police

Police integration is not at all a new concept, here or elsewhere. In the Philippines,
the idea is old as the Constabulary itself although it was not well defined when it first
dawned.

Nevertheless, the germ was there when in mandating the

setting up of an insular police force, the Second Philippine
Commission, though Organic Act No. 175 enacted on July
18, 1901 called for the organization and establishment of an
Insular Constabulary and for the inspection of the municipal
police.

So after almost three years of martial rule, the integration

of all police forces throughout the country with the PC
followed. The ideas and the theories that have been
developed and implemented during 75 years of the PC finally
came into practical consolidation when former President Marcos issued Organic Act
175 on August 8, 1975.
Creation of the Philippine National Police

Law enforcement is vital in the stability and progress of all nations. Thus, the
conception of a unified national police was borne out of this premise.

Giving rise to the unification of the Philippine Constabulary and the Integrated
National Police whose functions is symmetrical to ensure the safety and security of
the people. Republic Act 6975 was signed into law on December 13, 1990 by then
President Corazon C Aquino which called for the creation of the Philippine National
Police (PNP) and the reorganization of the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) in keeping with the mandate of our constitution for a police force
that is national in scope and civilian in character.

In response to the call for public safety and

reforms within the organization, Honorables
Teodulo C Natividad, Blas F Ople, Regalado E
Maambong and Rustico delos Reyes authored
the provisions in the 1987 constitution calling for
the creation of a police organization that is
national scope and civilian character thus paving
way to the establishment of the Philippine
National Police (PNP).

The principal authors of the Republic Act 6975 were Senators Ernesto N Maceda and
Aquilino Pimentel, Congressmen Jose S Cojuangco Jr and Rodrigo Gutang. They
moved for the PNP's creation to professionalize the police force and make it
susceptible to the plight of the general public.

Upon the effectivity of the law, after its signing into law on 13 December 1990, the
PNP underwent a transitory period and on 31 March 1991, President Corazon C
Aquino named General Cesar P Nazareno as the First Director General of the
Philippine National Police.

On 29 January 1991, at Camp Crame, Quezon City, the Philippine Constabulary and
the Integrated National Police were retired and the PNP was activated in its place.
The occasion drew mixed reactions among its peers, one of regret and another of
hope that this newly established police organization will finally be the answer we have
been looking for. President Corazon C Aquino appealed to the Filipino people to keep
an open mind and cooperate to make this work for a better nation. As she addressed
the new PNP leadership, she ordered them to view the event as an opportunity for
better service and a chance for professional growth.
 The activation of the Philippine National Police
(PNP) did not effect the organizational set-up
and staffing pattern of the force. At the HPNP,
the Director General has ten (10) Directorial
Staff namely: 1. Directorate for Personnel 2.
Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine
Development 3. Directorate for Logistics,
4.Directorate for Research and Development 5.
Directorate for Comptrollership, 6. Directorate
for Plans, 7. Directorate for Police-Community Relations, 9. Directorate for
Investigation and 10. Special Staff under him. In addition, there exist administrative
support units, namely: Logistics Support Service (LSS), Computer Service, Finance
Service, Dental and Medical Service, Communication and Electronic Service, Chaplain
Service, Legal Service and Headquarters Support Service; and the Operational
Support Units, namely: Maritime Group, Crime Laboratory, Intelligence Group, Police
Security Group, Criminal Investigation Group, Narcotics Group, Special Action Force,
Traffic Management Group, Police-Community Relations Group, Aviation Security
Group and Civil Security Group. At the different regions, the 15 Regional Office were
maintained and retained their original structural forces. The fifteen(15) REGIONAL
OFFICES and their locations are as follows: REGIONAL OFFICE I - Camp Gen Oscar
Florendo, Parian San Fernando, La Union; REGIONAL OFFICE 2 - Camp Adduru,
Tuguegarao, Cagayan; REGIONAL OFFICE 3 - Camp Olivas, San Fernando,
Pampanga; REGIONAL OFFICE 4 - Camp Vicente Lim Canlubang, Laguna; REGIONAL
OFFICE 5 - Camp Simeon A Ola, Legazpi City; REGIONAL OFFICE 6 - Camp Martin
Delgado, Iloilo City; REGIONAL OFFICE 7 - Camp Sergio Osmena Sr., Cebu City;
REGIONAL OFFICE 8 - Camp Ruperto K Kangleon, Palo, Leyte; REGIONAL OFFICE 9
- Camp Justice R.. T. Lim Blvd, Zamboanga City; REGIONAL OFFICE 10 - Camp
Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City; REGIONAL OFFICE 11 - Camp Catitipan, Maguindanao,
REGIONAL OFFICE 12 - Camp Parang, Maguindanao; ARMM - Camp Salipada
Pendatun, Parang, Maguindanao; PROCAR OFFICE - Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad,
Benguet; and the NCR- Camp General Tomas Karingal, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City.

The National Capital Region which covers Metro Manila is divided into five (5) Districts
each headed by a District Director: The five (5) Districts are as follows Western Police
District (WPD)- Manila; Eastern Police District (EPD); Northern Police District (NPD);
Central Police District (CPD); Quezon City; and Southern Police District (SPD).

On August 1992, due to the adverse publicities about erring policemen in the service,
the newly elected President Fidel V Ramos sought measures to restore the people's
faith by revamping the Philippine National Police (PNP). To prove his sincerity in
cleansing the police force, General Nazareno was relieved and transferred to the
President's office. To replace him in acting capacity was Deputy Director General Raul
S Imperial. This was on 28 August 1992.

Deputy Director General Raul S lmperial together with Secretary Rafael M Alunan III
of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was given the difficult
task to dialogue with the private sector and its personnel in line with improving the
image of the men in uniform.
To complement these dialogues, the present leadership of the Philippine National
Police (PNP) suggested the reorientation of its men on value formation. Seminars
were conducted to this effect. To make the reorientation more effective, the PNP
vision was created which goes, "We are committed to the vision of professional,
dynamic and highly motivated PNP, supported by a responsive community, regarded
as one of the most credible national institutions and ranked among the best in Asia".
With this vision, Deputy Director General Raul S Imperial challenged all PNP personnel
to bring this vision into a reality.

On 28 October 1992, after the retirement of General Cesar P

Nazareno, General Raul S Imperial became the second PNP
Chief. This thought was short lived because he retired on 06
May 1993.

After a thorough revamp in the PNP, President Fidel V Ramos

appointed General Umberto Rodriguez as the third PNP Chief
on 06 May 1993. He was given the arduous task of upgrading
the tainted image of the PNP and uplifting the morale and
welfare of every police officer in the service. Gifted with
talent, Director General Umberto Rodriguez masterly guided
the organization to what is has become today; all organization fully committed with
sense of dignity, loyalty and total dedication ill serving the citizenry of the Republic.
He retired on 08 July 1994.

On 08 July 1994, a very young officer was chosen by President Fidel V Ramos to lead
the PNP. A member of class '66 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Director
General Recaredo Arevalo Sarmiento II vowed to continue what his past predecessors
have initiated and urged the members of the Philippine National Police to help the
government to fulfill its goal towards the Philippine 2000.

Under Director General Sarmiento's stewardship, the organization, as it is done

centered its attention in helping the country to move forward economically by
maintaining peace and order, assisting the government in times of calamities and
combating violence and lawlessness. He imbibed to the minds of the entire PNP
personnel of their commitment to the entire populace through the POLICE 2000. It
may not be a perfect organization but it is forever cleansing its ranks-to rid of the
very few misfits who have tarnished its image. The PNP is currently intensifying its
operations on "OPLAN PAGLALANSAG" in answer to the President's call to dismantle
all existing private armed groups throughout the archipelago and "OPLAN
PAGBABAGO" as the organization's way of religiously cleansing its force of misguided
elements. Indeed, our police force have a great task ahead of them but with the
people behind it, how can it fail.

PNP Organization
The PNP Organizational Structure is composed of the Central Office or the National
Headquarters, which housed the office of the PNP Chief, two Deputy Chiefs, one for
Administration and one for Operations. The Chief Directorial Staff and ten Directorial
Staffs with the support of nine Administrative and ten Operational Units and
seventeen Police Regional Offices (PROs) nationwide corresponding to the regional
subdivisions of the country to include the NCRPO, PROs 1, 2, 3, 4A (CALABARZON),
4B (MIMAROPA), 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 (CARAGA), CAR and ARMM. It was on
September 1, 2002 that PRO 4 was subdivided into PRO 4A (CALABARZON), which
has jurisdiction over the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon,
and PRO 4B (MIMAROPA), which has jurisdiction over the provinces of Mindoro,
Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

At the provincial level, a Provincial Police Office is headed by a Provincial

Director. In the case of large provinces, police districts may be established by the
Commission to be headed by a District Director. At the city or municipal level or
PNP station, each is headed by a Chief of Police.

The Police National Training Institute (PNTI) under the Philippine Public Safety
College (PPSC), is the premier educational institution for the training, human
resource development and continuing education of all personnel of the PNP. The
Philippine National Police Academy is also under PPSC. PNTI main office is stationed
at PRO 4 in Canlubang, Laguna with eighteen Regional Training Centers nationwide.
Political Development of the Philippine Government
1. 1. THE PRE-SPANISH GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
2. 2. THE PRE-SPANISH GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES  Prior to the arrival of the
Spaniards, the Philippines was composed of settlements or villages, each called barangay,
named after balangay, a Malayan word meaning “boat”.
3. 3. THE PRE-SPANISH GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES  Every barangay was
virtually a state, for it possessed the four basic elements of statehood. At times, however,
some barangays joined together as “confederations” mainly for the purpose of mutual
protection against common enemies.
4. 4. THE PRE-SPANISH GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES  Each barangay was ruled
by a chief called datu in some places, and rajah, sultan or hadji in others. He was its chief
executive, law giver, chief judge, and military head. In the performance of his duties,
however, he was assisted usually by a council of elders (maginoos) which served as his
advertisers. In form, the barangay was monarchy with the wealth, or physical prowess.
5. 5. THE PRE-SPANISH GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES  The people of the
barangay were divided into four classes, namely: the nobility (maharlika), to which the datu
belonged, the freemen (timawa), the serfs (aliping namamhay), and the slaves (aliping
sagigilid). SOCIAL CLASSES IN THE BARANGAY
6. 6. THE PRE-SPANISH GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES  The early Filipinos had
both written and unwritten laws. The written laws were promulgated by the datus. The two
known written codes in the pre- Spanish era are the “Maragtas Code” which was said to
have been written about 1250 A.D by Datu Sumakwel of Panay, and the Kalantiaw Code
written in 1433 A.D by Datu Kalantiaw, also of Panay. EARLY LAWS
7. 7. THE PRE-SPANISH GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES  It can be said that the laws
of the barangay were generally fair. The system of government, although defective was not
so bad considering the conditions in other lands in the age during which it flourished.
COMPARISON WITH OTHER ANCIENT GOVERNMENTS
8. 8. PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD
9. 9. PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD  It was based on the discovery made by
Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, consummated by its conquest by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi 45
years later and long possession for almost four centuries, until it was terminated in 1898,
when by the Treaty of Paris, the Philippines was ceded by Spain to the United States.
SPAIN’S TITLE TO THE PHILIPPINES
10. 10. PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD  From 1565 to 1821, the Philippines
was indirectly governed by the King of Spain through Mexico. From 1821 when Mexico
obtained her independence from Spain, to 1898, the Philippines was ruled directly from
Spain. SPANISH COLONIAL GOVERNMENT
11. 11. PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD  From 1863, the military of Ultramar
(colonies) exercised general powers of supervision over Philippine affairs. Three times
during the Spanish period (1810-1813, 1820-1823, and 1836-1837), the Philippines was
given representation in the Spanish cortes, the legislative body of Spain. SPANISH
COLONIAL GOVERNMENT
12. 12. PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD  The government which Spain
established in the Philippines was centralized in structure and national in scope. The
barangays were consolidated into towns each headed by a GOBERNADORCILLO, popularly
called capitan, and the towns into provinces, each headed by a governor who represented
the Governor General in the province. GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIPPINE UNITARY
13. 13. PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD  The power of the government were
actually exercised by the Governor-General who resided in Manila. He was “Governor-
General” “Captain-General”, and “vice-royal patron.” As Governor-General, he had
executive, administrative, legislative and judicial powers. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL
14. 14. PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD  As Captain-General, he was
Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces in the Philippines. As the vice- royal patron, he
exercised certain religious powers. Because of these broad powers, it has been said that the
Governor General enjoyed more powers than the King of Spain himself. This was justified,
however, because of the distance of the Philippines from Spain. THE GOVERNOR-
GENERAL
15. 15. PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD  In the administration of the
Philippines, the Governor-General was assisted by many boards and officers, particularly the
Board of Authorities and the Council of Administration. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL
16. 16. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period
17. 17. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  The
Katipunan was secret society that precipitated our glorious revolution on August 26, 1896. It
was organized by Andres Bonifacio. The central government of the Katipunan was vested in
a Supreme Council (Kataastaasang Sanggunian). In each province there was a Provincial
Council (Sangguniang Balangay) and in each town, a Popular Council (Sanggunian Bayan).
THE KATIPUNAN GOVERNMENT
18. 18. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  The Judicial
Power was exercised by a Judicial Council (Sangguniang Hukuman). The Katipunan was
replaced by another government whose officials headed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo as
President, were elected in the Tejeros Convention held on March 22, 1897. THE
KATIPUNAN GOVERNMENT
19. 19. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  On
November 1, 1897, a republic was established by Gen. Aguinaldo in Biak-na-Bato (now San
Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan). It had a constitution which was to take effect for two years
only. THE BIAK NA BATO REPUBLIC
20. 20. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  . It declared
that the aim of the revolutions was the “separation of the Philippines from the Spanish
monarchy and their formation into an independence state.” The Biak-na-Bato Republic lasted
up to December 15, 1897, with conclusion of the “Pact of Biak-na-Bato.” THE BIAK NA
BATO REPUBLIC
21. 21. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  Following
the outbreak of the Spanish-American war on April 25, 1898, Gen. Aguinaldo in view of the
chaotic conditions in the country, established the Dictatorial Government on May 24, 1898.
THE DICTATORIAL GOVERNMENT
22. 22. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  The most
important achievements of the Dictatorial Government were the Proclamation of the
Philippine Independence at Kawit on June 12, 1898 and the reorganization of local
governments. THE DICTATORIAL GOVERNMENT
23. 23. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  In the
administration of the Philippines, the Governor-General was assisted by many boards and
officers, particularly the Board of Authorities and the Council of Administration. THE
REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT
24. 24. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  On June 23,
1898, Gen. Aguinaldo established the Revolutionary Government replacing the Dictatorial
Government. THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT
25. 25. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  The decree-
making such change stated that the aims of the new government were “struggle for the
independence of the Philippines, until all nations including Spain will expressly recognize it,”
and “to prepare the country for the establishment of a real Republic.” THE
REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT
26. 26. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period
27. 27. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  The
American military rule in the Philippines began on April 4, 1898, the day after the capture of
Manila. The existence of was gave the President of the United States the power to establish
a Military Government in the Philippines, as Commander-in-Chief of all Armed Forces of the
United States. THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT
28. 28. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  His authority
was delegated to the military governor who exercised as long as the war lasted, all powers of
government – executive, legislative and judicial. The first American Military Governor was
General Wesley Merritt, the second was General Elwell E. Otis, and the third and last was
Major General Arthur MacArthur. THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT
29. 29. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  Pursuant to
the so-called Spooner Amendment (on the army appropriation act passed in the US
Congress on March 3, 1901) which ended the military regime in the Philippines, the Civil
Government was inaugurated in Manila on July 4, 1901. THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT
30. 30. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  The Civil
Governor whose positions was created on October 29, 1901. The Civil Governor, also
exercised legislative powers. He remained as President of the Philippine Comission, the sole
law-making body of the government from 1901 to 1907. THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT
31. 31. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  From 1907
to 1916, the Philippine Commission acted as the upper house of the legislative branch with
the Philippine Assembly serving as the lower house. With the passage of the Spooner Law in
1916, these two bodies gave way to the Philippine Legislature. The Philippines was
represented in the United States by two Resident Commissioners who were elected the
Philippine Legislature. THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT
32. 32. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  The next
stage in the political development of the Filipinos was the establishment of the
Commonwealth Government of the Philippines pursuant to an act of the United States
Congress on March 24, 1934, commonly known was the Tydings- McDuffie Law.
COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
33. 33. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  Among
other things, the law provided for a transition period of ten years during which the Philippines
Commonwealth would operate and at the expiration of said period on July 4, 1896, the
independence of the Philippines would be proclaimed and established. COMMONWEALTH
GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
34. 34. Philippines' Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period  The new
government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, deemed successor to the Government
of the Philippine Islands, was inaugurated on November 15, 1935, following the first national
election under the 1935 Constitution held on September 12, 1935, with Manuel L. Quezon
and Sergio Osmeña, as President and Vice-President, respectively. COMMONWEALTH
GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
35. 35. Governments of the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines
36. 36. Governments of the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines  It
was established in Manila on January 3, 1942, one day after its occupation. Under a
proclamation issued by the Japanese High Command, the sovereignty of United States over
the Philippines was declared terminated. THE JAPANESE MILITARY ADMINISTRATION
37. 37. Governments of the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines  A
Civil government known as the Philippine Executive Commission composed of Filipinos with
Jorge B. Vargas as Chairman, was organized by the military forces of occupation. The
commission exercised both the executive and legislative powers. THE PHILIPPINE
EXECUTIVE COMMISSION
38. 38. Governments of the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines  The
laws enacted were, however, subject to the approval of the Commander-in-Chief of the
 Japanese Forces. The Judiciary continued in the same form as it was under the
Commonwealth. However, it functioned without the independence which it had traditionally
enjoyed. THE PHILIPPINE EXECUTIVE COMMISSION
39. 39. Governments of the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines  On
October 14, 1943, the so-called Japanese- sponsored Republic of the Philippines was
inaugurated with Jose P. Laurel as President. It was the same character as the Philippine
Executive Commission. JAPANESE-SPONSORED REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
40. 40. Governments of the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines  Like
the latter, the ultimate source of its authority was the Japanese military authority and
government, on August 17, 1945. President Laurel proclaimed the dissolution of the
Republic. JAPANESE-SPONSORED REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES