Our Functions (Police functions/Police Authority)

1. Law Enforcement.
2. Maintain peace and order.
3. Prevents and investigates crimes and bring offenders to justice.
4. Exercise the vested powers from the Philippine Constitution and pertinent laws.
5. Detain an arrested person for a period not beyond what is prescribed by law.
6. Implements pertinent laws and regulations on firearms and explosives control.
7. Supervise and control the training and operations of security agencies.

6975 Section 24. Powers and Functions. – The PNP shall have the following powers
and functions:

(a) Enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives and
properties;

(b) Maintain peace and order and take all necessary steps to ensure public
safety;

(c) Investigate and prevent crimes, effect the arrest of criminal offenders, bring
offenders to justice and assist in their prosecution;

(d) Exercise the general powers to make arrest, search and seizure in
accordance with the Constitution and pertinent laws;

(e) Detain an arrested person for a period not beyond what is prescribed by law,
informing the person so detained of all his rights under the Constitution;

(f) Issue licenses for the possession of firearms and explosives in accordance
with law;

(g) Supervise and control the training and operations of security agencies and
issue licenses to operate security agencies, and to security guards and private
detectives, for the practice of their professions; and

(h) Perform such other duties and exercise all other functions as may be
provided by law.

In addition, the PNP shall absorb the office of the National Action Committee on Anti-
Hijacking (NACAH) of the Department of National Defense, all the functions of the
present Philippine Air Force Security Command (PAFSECOM), as well as the police
functions of the Coast Guard. In order to perform its powers and functions efficiently and
effectively, the PNP shall be provided with adequate land, sea, and air capabilities and
all necessary material means of resources.

Section 35. Support Units. – The PNP shall be supported by administrative and

operational support units. The administrative support units shall consist of the Crime
Laboratory, Logistic Unit, Communications Unit, Computer Center, Finance Center and
Civil Security Unit. The operational support units shall be composed of the Maritime
Police Unit, Police Intelligence Unit, Police Security Unit, Criminal Investigation Unit,
Special Action Force, Narcotics units, Aviation Security Unit, Traffic Management Unit,
the Medical and Dental Centers and the Civil Relations Unit. To enhance police
operational efficiency and effectiveness, the Chief of the PNP may constitute such other
support units as may be necessary subject to the approval of the Commission:
Provided, That no support unit headed by a chief superintendent or a higher rank can
be created unless provided by law.

(b) Operational Support Units. – (1) Maritime Police Unit. Headed by a Director
with the rank of chief superintendent, the Maritime Police Unit shall perform all
police functions over Philippine territorial waters and rivers.

The Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP-MG) is one of the twelve (12)
National Operational Support Unit (NOSU) of the Philippine National Police mandated to
perform all police functions over Philippine territorial waters, lakes, and rivers along
coastal areas to include ports and harbors and small islands for the security and the
sustainable development of the maritime environment in the Philippines. The unit was
created along with the PNP by virtue of Republic Act RA 6975 otherwise known as
Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990 (Section 35.b.1).

Mission[edit]
To perform all police functions and ensure public safety and internal security over
Philippine territorial waters and rivers including ports of entry and exit; and sustain the
protection of the maritime environment.
Specifically, PNP-MG has the following functions:

 To train, equip, mobilize, organize and manage resources for effective maritime law
enforcement and internal security operations;
 To enforce all laws, rules, regulations and ordinances relative to the protection of
lives, properties and environment;
 To arrest, investigate and assist in the prosecution of terrorists, smuggling, drug
traffickers and other criminal element;
 To conduct search and rescue operations.[6]

PCG

REPUBLIC ACT No. 9993

Section 3. Powers and Functions. - The PCG shall have the following powers and
functions:

(a) To enforce regulations in accordance with all relevant maritime international

conventions, treaties or instruments and national laws for the promotion of safety
of life property at sea within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines and
conduct port state control implementation;

(b) To inspections on all merchant ships and vessels, including but shall not be
limited to inspections prior to departure, to ensure and enforce compliance with
safety standards, rules and regulations;

(c) To detain, stop or prevent a ship or vessel which does not comply with safety
standards, rules and regulations from sailing or leaving port;

(d) To conduct emergency readiness evaluation on merchant marine vessels;

(e) Subject to the approval of the Secretary of the DOTC, to issue and enforce
rules and regulation for the promotion of safety and life and property at sea on all
maritime-related activities;

(f) To coordinate, develop, establish, maintain and operate aids to navigation,

vessel traffic system, maritime communications and search and rescue facilities
within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines;

(g) To remove, destroy or low to port, sunken or floating hazards to navigation,

including illegal fish and vessels, at or close to sea lanes which may cause
hazards to the marine environment;
 (h) To issue permits for the salvage of vessels and to supervise all marine
salvage operations, as well as prescribe and enforce rules and regulations
governing the same;

(i) To render aid to persons and vessels in distress and conduct search rescue in
marine accidents within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines, including the
high seas, in accordance with applicable international conventions. In the
performance of this function, the PCG may enlist the services of other
government agencies and the merchant marine fleet;

(j) To investigate the inquire into the causes of all maritime accidents involving
death, casualties and damage to properties;

lawphil.net

(l) To assist in the enforcement of laws on fisheries, immigration, tariff and

customs, forestry, firearms and explosives, human trafficking, dangerous drugs
and controlled chemicals, transnational crimes and other applicable laws within
the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines;

(m) To board and inspect all types of merchant ships and watercrafts in the
performance of this functions;

(n) To enforce laws and promulgated and administer rules and regulations for the
protection of marine environment and resources from offshore sources or
pollution within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines;

(o) To develop oil spill response, containment and recovery capabilities against
ship-based pollution;

(p) To grant, within the capabilities and consistent with its mandate, requests for
assistance of other government agencies in the performance of their functions;

(q) To organize, train and supervise the PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) for the purpose of
assisting the PCG in carrying out its mandated functions; and

(r) To perform such other functions that may be necessary in the attainment of
the objectives of this Act.

Mission

Mission

"We are a uniformed armed service that implements and enforces all national and
international maritime safety, security, search and rescue, and marine environmental
protection laws in support of the integrated Maritime Transportation Network objectives,
national security and economic development of the Philippines."

Functions

MARSAF maritime safety

Print

Published: 21 February 2020

The Philippine Coast Guard is the country’s vanguard against the entry of unsafe
foreign vessels into the country through its Port State Control. At present, the Philippine
Coast Guard has seven (7) PSC Centers and fifteen (15) PSC Divisions all throughout
the archipelago. The PSC Center in Manila has the bulk of all inspections based on
frequency of foreign ship calls.

Pursuant to RA 9993, the Philippine Coast Guard is mandated to enforce regulations in

accordance with all relevant maritime international conventions, treaties or instruments
of which the government is signatory and national laws.

MARITIME SAFETY or MARSAF function is designed to help prevent or minimize

unnecessary loss of lives and properties at sea.

The seaworthiness of every vessel leaving the port is ensured through the intensified
Mandatory Pre-departure Inspection which include the compliance of vessels to safety
standards and prevention of vessels from sailing for failure to comply with the
standards; conduct of random Emergency Readiness Evaluation and Operational
Readiness Evaluation in the ports; conduct of regular vessel safety inspections, and
publication of Notice to Mariners (NOTAM), and the implementation and enforcement of
navigational rules and designation of sea lanes, among others.
Further, the PCG is also responsible in issuing permits and supervises all marine
salvage operations. It is mandated to destroy or tow floating hazards to navigation such
as, but not limited to illegal fish traps and vessels.

Moreover, navigational safety is ensured by operating and/or maintaining and servicing

565 lighthouses and more than 44 navigational buoys around the country which guide
and ensures safe voyage to mariners.

MAREP maritime environmental protection

Print

Published: 10 December 2013

The Philippines is a signatory to IMO Conventions on Marine Pollution of 1973 and

1978 (MARPOL 73/78). The Philippine Coast Guard under RA 9993 is the sole agency
responsible for the Philippine implementation of the Conventions with regards to oil
pollution, prevention, mitigation and control through the conduct of marine pollution
monitoring and control, enhancement of PCG capability and oil spill response
operations and enforcement of all marine environmental laws and regulations.

MARSAR maritime search and rescue

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Published: 10 December 2013

The Philippine Coast Guard, in accordance with the Convention of Safety of Life at Sea
(SOLAS), is the national maritime search and rescue service of the country. The Coast
Guard Action Center (CGAC) at the PCG Headquarters in Manila, by virtue of the
current functions and facilities, serves as the coordinating centers for all search and
rescue operations. The twelve Coast Guard Districts are designated as Maritime
Rescue Coordinating Council (MRCC) within their areas of responsibility while the 59
Coast Guard Stations are designated as Maritime Rescue Sub-Centers (MRSC). The
detachments under these stations are designated as SAR units.

The PCG’s SAR organization maintains constantly-manned watch centers that operate
24 hours a day, continuously monitoring distress frequencies and conducting coastal
foot and seaborne patrol within their area of responsibility. There is at least one division
or squadron of Coast Guard Auxiliary in each MRSC where watch can be set and
assistance can be obtained when required. Likewise, at least one Deployable Response
Team composed of Special Operations Group, Medical Team, K-9 and rescue
swimmers is organized at each Coast Guard District or MRCC which can be dispatched
immediately to any maritime and land base search and rescue operations.

MARSEC maritime security

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Published: 10 December 2013

Maritime Security is another important function of the PCG. Considering the

archipelagic character of the country, it is vital to enhance the security of its different
maritime zones to protect the integrity as a nation. In the performance of this function,
the PCG contributes to maintain good order at sea by conducting regular patrols and
surveillance for the safety of navigation of ships, to safeguard ships from illegal acts and
to promote freedom of navigation.
The PCG is likewise mandated to secure exploration and resource utilization activities
within the country's maritime jurisdiction.

In its Sea Marshal Program, the PCG manages composite security forces composed of
AFP, PNP and PCG elements to protect voyages of passenger-laden vessels in
domestic routes. The Coast Guard also boasts of a newly established nationwide K-9
unit composed of highly trained sniffing dogs deployed in the major ports throughout the
country.

MARLEN maritime law enforcement

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Published: 10 December 2013

The PCG is likewise mandated to conduct MARITIME LAW ENFORCEMENT

(MARLEN) and implement laws on fisheries (and poaching), immigration, tariff and
customs, forestry, firearms and explosives, human trafficking, dangerous drugs and
controlled chemicals, and to implement the revised penal code and all other applicable
laws within the country’s maritime jurisdiction and battle transnational crimes.

The PCG is authorized to board and inspect all watercrafts suspected to be involved in
or used in illegal trade. PCG personnel are also deemed agents of BFAR, Immigration,
Customs, DENR, PDEA, and INTERPOL in the performance of its MARLEN function.

As a maritime organization under RA 9993 , it is deputized by 21 government agencies

to perform maritime law enforcement functions directed towards the suppression of
piracy, smuggling, poaching, illegal fishing, illegal entry, human smuggling, illegal
logging, drug trafficking, gun running and terrorist activities.
Port Police PPA

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Sec. 2. Section 6 is hereby amended by adding a new paragraph to read as follows:

Sec. 6-c. Police Authority The Authority shall have such police authority within
the ports administered by it as may be necessary to carry out its powers and
functions and attain its purposes and objectives, without prejudice to the exercise
of the functions of the Bureau of Customs and other law enforcement bodies
within the area. Such police authority shall include the following:

a) To provide security to cargoes, port equipment, structure, facilities,

personnel and documents: Provided, however, That in ports of entry,
physical security to import and export cargoes shall be exercised jointly
with the Bureau of Customs;

b) To regulate the entry to, exit from, and movement within the port, of
persons and vehicles, as well as movement within the port of watercraft;

c) To maintain peace and order inside the port, in coordination with local
police authorities;

d) To supervise private security agencies operating within the port area;

and

e) To enforce rules and regulations promulgated by the Authority pursuant

to law.