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No56 23PA Caparas
No56 23PA Caparas
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RESOURCE MATERIAL SERIES No. 56
The fifth pillar has a two-fold role. First, participation are being introduced on all
members have the responsibility to fronts.
participate in law enforcement activities by
being partners of the peace officers in In the reduction of crime, a systems-wide
reporting crime incidents, and helping in strategy was initially developed in the
the arrest of the offenders. Second, they 1970s. This ventured into specific
have responsibility to participate in the community-based crime prevention
promotion of peace and order through activities for adoption and implementation
crime prevention or deterrence, and in the by criminal justice agencies, specifically
rehabilitation of convicts and their those perceived to have the greatest
reintegration to society. potential for improving the quality of life,
and hence, reducing crime. The strategies
B. The Holistic Approach that find relevance to the present are: 1)
Over the years, crime has continued to reinforcement of the home and family life;
be one of the major social problems and 2) educational improvement; 3) health
questions linger in the minds of the public improvement; 4) active participation of
as to the capability of the agencies religious organizations/groups; 5)
concerned to respond effectively to the improvement of recreational facilities; 6)
threat of crime. The failure to meet involvement of mass media; and 7) citizens’
targeted goals, however, should not be involvement in crime prevention activities.
totally construed as a failure of the system
but rather, on the prevailing environmental C. Coordination and Networking in
conditions or foctors that may have the Philippine Criminal Justice
precipitated the increase of crime System
incidence. These factors include increasing The criminal justice arena is a system
pressure from the family, peer groups, of interrelated goals, functions and roles.
rural-to-urban migration, negative effects Interagency coordinating mechanisms
of mass media, impact of poverty, have been created and strengthened to
unemployment and inflation, and graft and optimize problem-solving for pressing
corruption. issues affecting each pillar, and to work out
the implementation of projects and
In view of this, crime prevention policies activities within an interdisciplinary
have been incorporated in national framework.
economic development plans. Under the
past administration, reinventing the 1. National Peace and Order Council
bureaucracy and crafting a new and Several years ago, a centralized
reinvigorated Social Reform Agenda coordinating mechanism to carry out a
became priority actions. Specifially, the national program addressed not only
Philippines 2000 program, launched in criminality but all forces that threaten
February 1993, encompasses the Filipino national security was established with the
vision for an improved quality of life for promulgation of Executive Order 309, as
all. It is anchored in people empowerment amended by EOs 317 and 320, and recently
and global competitiveness. EO 366. This national council, more
popularly known as the Peace and Order
Significant sector-specific strategies to Council, draws its membership from
more equitably distribute the fruits of government agencies and non-
development, to bridge rural-urban governmental organizations (NGOs). It
disparities and to increase people’s underwent reorganization and
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philosophy that guides the approach to vested with the jurisdiction to hear and
policing taken by every police unit. It is decide citizens’ complaints against erring
the process of changing the mindset and personnel that are filed before them. The
attitude of the members of the police force intent of the law is clear. In the governance
in solving criminality without resorting to over the police, local government units and
violent means and methods. In the same the community must have substantial and
manner, the members of the community more meaningful participation,
will be convinced to enter into partnership particularly in the area of discipline.
with the law enforcer to keep the
community peaceful. While a police agency PLEB members are appointed by the
can adopt aspects of the community local executives through the
policing philosophy for selected units and recommendation of the local Peace and
activities it undertakes, maximum impact Order Councils. In 1995, a total of 1,510
cannot be achieved unless the entire PLEBs were organized nationwide. PLEB
station adopts the COPS philosophy and members are given the appropriate
the station is organized in a manner that training upon appointment. Of the total
reflects the commitment to neighborhood number of PLEBs organized, 1,087 PLEBS
problem solving. were monitored to determine their caseload
and status of case disposition, as well as to
COPS aims to cultivate the citizen-police look into their technical or legal capabilities
partnership to serve the cause of peace and and requirements. Around l,919
order in the community. It seeks the complaints against PNP members were
cooperation and active support of NGOs, filed with the various PLEBs. Of this
the local government officials, and the number, 824 were disposed of, registering
entire community for crime prevention and a 42.9 percent case disposition rate.
control. It also ensures immediate police
response to situations, thereby fostering a 3. Establishment of “Women’s and
sense of security among the residents in Children’s Concern Desk” in Police
the community. In the long term, it aims Stations
to facilitate the transition from the The establishment of the Women’s and
traditional reactive incident-driven model Children’s Concern Desks in police stations
of policing to a proactive style of operation is expected to further streamline and
which seeks to identify and resolve strengthen the effort of the police in
community problems and actively engage responding to problems of violence against
members of the community in the process. women and children. As a management
strategy, police women are assigned to man
the desks, or if no female personnel are
2. Institutionalization of the Peoples Law available, a trained male police officer is
Enforcement Boards (PLEB) assigned. To date, a total of 1,632 WCCDs
People empowerment as a strategy in with 1,763 personnel (l,468 policewomen
the administration of police administrative and 294 policemen) have been established
disciplinary system finds actualization nationwide. In highly urbanized cities, the
with the organization and operation of the WCCD handles the investigation of women
People’s Law Enforcement Boards (PLEBs) and children’s cases. A total of 3,463 cases
in the cities and municipalities throughout of abused women and children have been
the country. reported to WCCD and acted upon
appropriately. WCCP officers have been
Under R.A. No. 6975, the PLEBs are effective tools in providing services to
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women and children in close coordination justice system, prosecution is viewed as the
with the Department of Social Welfare and machinery that sets in motion the
Development (DSWD) and concerned institution of action to establish the guilt
women-based NGOs. of criminal offenders and law violators. Its
mission is to maintain peace, order, safety
Aside from these flagship programs, the and justice in the community through
police also conduct their own public delivering prompt prosecutoral services,
information and education programs that is, the investigation of crimes and the
through a number of TV and radio prosecution of criminals. Tasked with this
programs. They likewise conduct regular delicate function of screening and
“Ugnayans” or dialogue with the evaluating which cases are to be dropped
community and hold a “People’s Day” every or filed in court, the prosecution is often
month. These activities make police called the prime official in law enforcement.
services accessible to the public. They represents not only the community
but the people in the prosecution and trial
4. Law Enforcement Pillar Master Plan of the accused in court. It is the
of Action for Peace and Order prosecution’s responsibility to represent
l. P i l o t - Te s t i n g o f E n h a n c e d the government in court and to see that
Community-Oriented Policing proper persons are appropriately charged.
System in the Municipality of
Valenzuela The National Prosecution Service came
This pilot testing project was conducted into being on 11 April 1978 by virtue of
in the municipality of Valenzuela. All police Presidential Decree No. 1275. The NPS is
officers in this station are specially trained under the supervision and control of the
in the COPs philosophy and mindset. They Department of Justice. They run a
are also afforded better logistical support nationwide organization consisting of state
like computers, hand held radios and office prosecutors, regional prosecutors,
equipment. Seminar-workshops on crime provincial prosecutors and city/municipal
prevention are regularly conducted and prosecutors tasked to undertake the
attended by community leaders and the investigation and prosecution of cases
police. Action planning sessions are also involving violations of penal and special
held. laws.
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Table 1
Witness Protection and Benefit Program
Budget and Important Statistics
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
Budget (in Million 25.00 25.00 23.036 18.718 25.360 35.00
Pesos
Less Reserve - 1.964 2.268 .918 1.250 -
Net Appropriations 25.00 23.036 20.768 25.800 24.110 35.00
Applications 60 149 293 499 525 317 245 112
Received (as of 8-
31-98)
Carry over from 50 40 16
Previous Year
Total on Hand 60 199 333 515
Admissions 6 99 247 273 300 229 189 53
(as of 8-
31-98)
Denials/Archived/ 4 60 70 147
Withdrawn/Suspended
Balance by Year-End 50 40 16 95 350* 500*
Disposition Rate 17% 80% 95% 82%
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is to be imposed. This informal side has The Foundation for Judicial Excellence,
made possible some new approaches to the a private foundation, has granted awards
control of crime, for example, by treatment for Judicial Excellence every year. This
instead of punishment. private foundation grants awards to three
(3) Outstanding Regional Trial Court
As the court system now operates, an Judges, and three (3) Outstanding
attempt is being made to be as non-punitive Metropolitan or Municipal Trial Court
as possible by the use, for instance, of Judges. Likewise, the foundation also gives
probation coupled with warnings of awards for Outstanding Public Prosecutors
punishment for the offender who ventures and Outstanding Public Defenders. The
outside the conditions set forth by the award system is implemented to affirm and
judge. Such conditions include continued encourage exemplary performance and
good conduct, adequate support of families conduct among public servants, and to
and steady employment. Several projects strengthen citizen’s faith and confidence in
are being initiated to make citizens aware the rule of law.
of the operations of the judiciary.
D. Corrections
1. Judiciary Project Under the Five-Year The corrections pillar is formally charged
Master Plan of Action for Peace and with the primary responsibility of
Order reforming the deviant behavior of
1. Conduct of Symposium on the offenders, young and adult alike, for their
Operational Workings of the Court eventual absorption into the social and
The courts pillar of the TCCPCJ economic streams of the community. These
conducted symposia in different regions of goals are important in developing and
the country to enhance the understanding implementing programs to achieve the
of the public on the processes involved in objectives of corrections, which include
the administration of justice. The symposia building and rebuilding solid ties between
provided more information and t h e o f f e n d e r a n d t h e c o m m u n i t y,
familiarization on the operational system integrating or reintegrating the offender
and workings of the judicial system. The into community life, restoring family ties
symposia enlightened the minds of those and obtaining employment and education.
with negative beliefs about the judicial
system and provided public awareness of In the Philippines, the primary agencies
the entire criminal justice system. for institutional corrections are the Bureau
Participants gained insights on the actual of Corrections, which is under the
situation in courts and the causes of delay Department of Justice, responsible for the
in the disposition of cases. treatment and rehabilitation of national
prisoners who are serving sentence of more
2. Grant of Awards and/or Recognition than three (3) years; the Provincial Jails
of Deserving Judges and Court which are administered and supervised by
Personnel through the Merit System their respective provincial governments.
To further improve the efficiency and Inmates who are serving sentences from
effectiveness of the judges and court six (6) months and one (1) day to three (3)
personnel, the grant of awards and years are confined in these jails and the
recognition is given to deserving judges and Municipal and City Jails which are
personnel through a merit and award administered by the Bureau of Jail
system. Management and Penology (BJMP), which
is under the DILG. The inmates confined
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Table 2
Comparative Data of the Board of Pardons and Parole
(CY 1995 to September 1998)
Particulars 1995 1996 1997 1998 Total
Carpetas Received 5,750 4,969 3,986 3,098 17,803
Parole Granted 2,736 2,190 1,757 1,807 8,490
Recommended for 615 565 440 405 2,025
Conditional Pardon
Recommended for 1,848 1,822 1,138 226 5,034
Commutation of
Sentence
Recommended for 42 25 15 16 98
Absolute Pardon
Granted Final 1,377 1,446 1,603 946 5,392
Release and Discharge
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The localities have adapted the program To complement the program, another
and have taken the liberty of assimilating operational activity was launched, code
the concept into native culture and beliefs. named Oplan Tambayayong or Oplan
Examples of these are the Oplan LUBAS (Lungsod Batok Salaod or City/
Pakigsandurot in Cebu City and the Community Against Crime). Composed of
Neighborhood Watch Group in Baguio City. civilian volunteers, this organization is
aimed to organize an anti-crime movement,
(a) Oplan Pakigsandurot composed of well-meaning citizens to
“Oplan Pakigsandurot” was initiated by complement the various PNP units in the
the Cebu City local government. This is city in its operational activities. It is
based on Cebu City Police Community likewise designed to promote peoples’
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setting is being mobilized through various neighborhood crime and related problems,
groups. The Crusade Against Violence and to cooperate in law enforcement. It
(CAV), the Citizens’ Action Against Crime involves the organization of neighborhood
(CAAC), and the Movement for the blocks in a barangay into a Street Watch
Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO) unit.
were created as an offshoot of the
escalating incidents of violent criminality Each member of the Street Watch is
i n t h e c o u n t r y. T h e s e a n t i - c r i m e expected to be on the look-out for crimes
movements undertake: (1) protest rallies and emergencies within their own premises
as the means of obtaining a more effective and that of their immediate neighbors. The
response of the government in criminal monitoring efforts shall be assisted by the
justice matters; (2) sustained court watch; Foundation for Crime Prevention by
(3) information campaigns to increase providing the necessary infrastructure and
consciousness of victims and their families networking.
on the need to cooperate with authorities
in reporting crimes and pursuing cases in Support of the media is provided by one
court; (4) monitoring of cases pending with of the major television networks of the
law enforcement agencies and the c o u n t r y, G M A N e t w o r k , I n c . T h e
Department of Justice; (5) legal assistance neighborhood Street Watch information
and; (6) public education campaigns on and education campaign on crime
crime prevention to encourage vigilance prevention is supported by the GMA’s radio
among the citizenry in the campaign and television network. Crime prevention
against crime and violence. information and tips are aired in its
newscasts, radio and television programs.
The Citizens’ Crime Watch is an GMA has also set up a Street Watch Action
umbrella organization of non-government Center to follow up cases and report
organizations (NGOs) and People’s emergencies. The station also airs feature
Organizations (POs) working in stories and interviews on crime prevention
partnership with the government in the and criminal justice issues.
anti-crime campaign. It provides
assistance to the police in information- Street Watch has established an
gathering, reporting of suspicious persons Emergency Hotline (Emergency Hotline
and places, service of subpoenas and other 117) which is centrally managed by the
court processes, and monitoring the Philippine Long Distance Telephone
progress of investigation, prosecution and (PLDT) Company and operated by qualified
disposition of heinous offenses. In operators from the Philippine National
barangays, Barangay Crime Watch Police.
Centers are being organized by the
Barangay Chairman in consultotion with C. Activities for Enhancing Public
the City/Municipal Peace and Order Awareness
Council concerned. The media’s role must be in making the
public more conscious and aware of the
1. Most Recent Program (Example): problems of criminality, the sociology of
Street Watch crime, the machinery of the criminal justice
Street Watch is a program designed to system, the imperfections and problems
get the community actively involved in besetting the system and the arduous
preventing crime by encouraging neighbors process of prosecution. Criminal justice
to help each other deal effectively with agencies can engage the services of the
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media for a more effective fight against the active support and involvement of the
crime. Towards this end, a Communication Department of Education, Culture and
Plan was launched in 1994 to educate the Sports (DECS), the Peace and Order
public on what the criminal justice system Councils, the Office of the Press Secretary-
is and its critical role in the prevention and Philippine Information Agency (OPS-PIA)
control of crime. and various citizens groups like the
Crusade Against Violence and the Citizen
1. T h e C r i m i n a l J u s t i c e S y s t e m Action Against Crime.
Communication Plan
A common strategy among the five In recent years, activities conducted
pillars of the criminal justice system is the include the Presidential Kick-Off ceremony,
conduct of an Information Education an inter-collegiate debate on crime
Communication (IEC) Campaign. A prevention, an On-the-Sport poster making
Presidential Directive was issued for the contests, symposia on crime prevention,
five pillars of the criminal justice system skit-drama contest for high school
to formulate and implement a students, motorcades and parades. These
comprehensive Criminal Justice System activities are conducted nationwide.
Communication Plan (CJS Complan). The
CJS Complan was initiated to promote the V. KATARUNGANG PAMBARANGAY
CJS in order to enhance justice, public SYSTEM - CONFLICT RESOLUTION
order and safety through an integrated and SYSTEM OUTSIDE TRIAL
sustained communication program.
Presidential Decree No. 1508, otherwise
Primers, posters, brochures, pamphlets
known as the Katarungang Pambarangay
and other materials containing information
Law, established a system of amicably
on the criminal justice system were
settling disputes at the barangay level.
prepared, reproduced and distributed to
The system aims to strengthen the family
the public. CJS agencies also air a weekly
as a basic social institution, preserve and
one-hour radio program “Bantay-
develop Filipino culture and promote the
Katarungan” (Justice Watch) which focuses
quality and speedy administration of
on crime prevention and the criminal
justice being dispensed by the courts. The
justice system. It is aired every Friday
essence of Katarungang Pambarangay
from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon over DZBB
(KP) is embodied in two salient features of
Radyo ng Bayan.
the law. One is that it makes the barangay
settlement compulsory and a pre-requisite
2. Nationwide Crime Prevention Week
to bringing suits in regular courts of justice,
Celebration
or before any governmental office
The Department of the Interior and
exercising adjudicative functions.
Local Government, through the National
Police Commission, spearheads the annual
As a community-based, conflict
celebration of the National Crime
resolution mechanism, the KP has proven
P r e v e n t i o n We e k . Presidential
its effectiveness in perpetuating the time-
Proclamation No. 461 dated 31 August
honored Filipino tradition of settling
1994, declared the first week of September
interpersonal disputes amicably without
of every year as National Crime Prevention
resorting to confrontational social behavior.
Week (NCPW).
Moreover, while central to the concerns of
the KP is the speedy administration of
Plans, programs and activities for the
justice, what appears to be of prime
week-long celebration, are drawn up with
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