BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINE POLICING SYSTEM

The institution of police in the Philippines formally

started during the Spanish period. The establishment of

the police force was not entirely intended for crime

prevention nor peacekeeping. Rather, it was created as an

extension of the colonial military establishment.

Ancient Roots

The forerunner of the contemporary police system was the practice of barangay chieftains to select

able-bodied young men to protect their barangay

during the night and were not required to work

in the fields during daytime.Among the duties of

those selected were to protect the properties

of the people in the barangay and protect their

crops and livestock from wild animals.

Spanish Period

Carabineros de Seguridad Publica – organized in 1712 for the purpose of carrying the regulations

of the Department of State; this was armed

and considered as the mounted police; years after, this kind of police organization discharged the duties
of a port,

harbor and river police.

Guardrilleros/Cuardillo – this was a body of rural police by the Royal Decree of 18 January 1836, this
decree

provided that 5% of the

able-bodied male inhabitants of each province were to be enlisted in this police organization for

three years

Guardia Civil – this was created by a Royal Decree issued by the Crown on 12 February 1852

to partially relieve the Spanish Peninsular troops of

their work in policing towns,it consisted of a body

of Filipino policemen organized originally in each

of the provincial capitals of the central provinces

of Luzon under the Alcalde Mayor

American Period

The Americans established the United States Philippine

Commission headed by General Howard Taft as its first

governor-general. On January 9, 1901, the Metropolitan

Police Force of Manila was organized pursuant to Act No 70of the Taft Commission. This has become the
basis for

the

celebration of the anniversary of the Manila’s Finest every January 9th.

ACT NO 175 – entitled “An Act Providing for the

Organization and Government of an Insular Constabulary”,enacted on July 18, 1901.

Henry T. Allen - Captain of the 6th US cavalry, a graduate of West Point class 1882. Father of the
Philippine

Constabulary.The first chief of the Philippine Constabulary in 1901.

ACT NO 183 - created the Manila Police Department, enacted on July 31, 1901.

CAPT GEORGE CURRY - the first chief of police

of the Manila Police Department in 1901.