Uniform Rules in Conducting Command Activities in the Philippine National Police (PNP) National Headquarters

April 30, 2017

PNP MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2017-032

UNIFORM RULES IN CONDUCTING COMMAND ACTIVITIES IN THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

1. REFERENCES:

a. PNP Manual on Drills, Ceremonies and Protocol and Social Usage; and

b. Camp Crame Rules and Regulations Manual of Operations, 2012 Edition.

2. RATIONALE:

This Memorandum Circular (MC) establishes a clear and uniform policy in conducting Command Activities in the PNP National Headquarters.

3. SITUATION:

As one of the uniformed services of the government, the PNP maintains and observes sets of customs and traditions, ceremonies, drills, protocols and social courtesies. These ceremonies have become part of the Command Activities of the PNP that have been maintained since the inception of the PNP. However, up to this date, there are no uniform rules and procedures being followed in the PNP in the conduct of these Command Activities. Some policies are scattered in different PNP circulars, manuals and some are in the form of directives, which can be changed from time to time, or none is issued at all. Hence, the need to craft and implement a uniform policy that will specifically provide guidelines and procedures in conducting Command Activities.

4. PURPOSE:

This MC shall prescribe the uniform rules and procedures to be observed in the conduct of PNP Command Activities in the National Headquarters. Specifically, this MC shall:

a. Identify and define the Command Activities to be observed by the PNP; and,

b. Set the date of the activity, identify the offices/units concerned in the preparation, the place where it is to be conducted, the participants, and the attire or uniform to be worn during the occasion.

5. DEFINITION OF TERMS:

a. Ceremony — refers to a formal act or set of formal acts established by custom or authority as proper to a special occasion.

b. Change of Command — refers to a ceremony for the relinquishment and assumption of a Command.

c. Christmas Celebration — refers to all activities of the PNP in observance of the Christmas season. This includes the yearly Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas party, and Christmas Ball.

d. Command Activity — refers to all activities where the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (SILG), the Chief, PNP (CPNP) or any member of the PNP Command Group is expected to attend.

e. Customs — refer to established usage or social practices carried on by tradition that have obtained the force of law. AScHCD

f. Day of National Remembrance for 'SAF 44' — refers to the memorial activities conducted in honor of the heroic sacrifice of 44 uniformed personnel of the PNP Special Action Force who were killed in line of duty on January 25, 2015 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, as provided for in Proclamation No. 164 signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on February 21, 2017.

g. Donation — refers to an act of liberality whereby a person disposes gratuitously of a thing or right in favor of another who accepts it.

h. Flag Raising — refers to a ceremony where PNP personnel honor the Philippine flag by hoisting it and singing the National Anthem before the start of the official work day.

i. Flag Lowering (or Retreat) — refers to a ceremony where PNP personnel pause for a moment to honor the lowering of the Philippine flag at the end of the official work day.

j. Honoree (or Dignitary) — refers to a high ranking local/foreign officer or civilian dignitary to whom honors are accorded.

k. Independence Day Mass Formation — refers to the activity being observed in commemoration of Philippine Independence Day by raising the Philippine flag accompanied by mass singing of the National Anthem.

l. Mass Wedding — refers to the marriage ceremony conducted every February 14th of the year where couples from the PNP are married at the same time with the Chief, PNP and Command Group as their principal sponsors.

m. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) — refers to a formal document used to outline an agreement made between two separate entities, groups or individuals. The MOA/MOU may be used to cooperatively work together on an agreed upon purpose or meet an agreed objective and outline the discussed terms of a new relationship. The purpose of an MOA is to have a written understanding of the agreement between the parties.

n. New Year's Call — refers to an activity where PNP officials pay a New Year's Call on the Chief PNP and Command Group as well as on the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.

o. Oath Taking Ceremony — refers to the activity where newly appointed or promoted PNP personnel take their oath of office.

p. PNP Foundation Day — refers to the celebration which marks the birth of the Philippine National Police pursuant to Republic Act No. 6975.

q. PNP Sports Fest — refers to an event where personnel of different PNP offices and units compete or take part in various types of sports to develop sportsmanship and camaraderie.

r. Police Service Anniversary — refers to the commemoration of policing in the Philippines which can be traced back to the organization of the Insular Constabulary on August 8, 1901 under Commission Act No. 175. The Insular Constabulary was later renamed Philippine Constabulary.

s. Summer Sports Clinic — an annual program conducted during summer for PNP personnel and their dependents by learning a sport. Training is handled by expert police instructors. These sports programs also incorporate character-forming lessons, particularly values such as determination, discipline, teamwork, respect, and confidence.

t. Traditions — refer to bodies of beliefs, stories, customs, and usages handed down from generations with the effect of an unwritten law.

u. Unit/Office Anniversary — refers to a ceremony or activity commemorating the birth or institutional establishment of a command or unit.

6. GUIDELINES:

a. Procedures

1) Except for the regular Flag Raising and Lowering Ceremonies, the PNP unit/office which is designated as the OPR of the Command Activity shall prepare all the plans and arrangements for the upcoming Command Activity a month before the intended date of celebration pursuant to the policy of Complete Staff Work (CSW).

2) The OPR office or unit shall then submit a memorandum to the Chief, PNP through the Command Group requesting approval of the scheduled activity together with the required documents including the name of the possible guest of honor and speaker, if applicable, and specific plans and arrangements.

3) Once approved by the Chief, PNP, the OPR shall coordinate with the Office of the Chief Directorial Staff (OTCDS), through the Secretary of the Directorial Staff (SDS), for the rehearsals and implementation of the plans and arrangements.

4) The OPR of the Command Activity shall immediately inform the Chief, PNP through TCDS of any change in the date of the celebration or other arrangements for approval.

b. General Guidelines

1) Unless the directive comes from the Chief, PNP, only TCDS is authorized to suspend or move to another date the scheduled Command Activity or approve any change(s) in the venue, attire/uniform or the participants of the activity.

2) Only those activities enumerated in the MC are officially recognized as a Command Activity.

3) The option of having full retirement honors is a privilege extended only to officials of the PNP Command Group. Other star-rank officers are entitled to regular retirement honors.

4) The following specific guidelines shall be observed in the conduct of the Command Activities listed below:

 

(a) Flag Raising Ceremony

Plan A (Regular)

Date:	Every Monday
Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	OTCDS
Participants:	All PNP personnel
Uniform/Attire:	GOA A
Remarks:	• Formation of paraders is at 6:30 AM while non-paraders is at 7:00 AM. • Ceremony will start at 7:30 AM.

Plan B (Inclement Weather)

Date:	Every Monday
Venue:	Multi-Purpose Center (MPC)
OPR:	OTCDS
Participants:	Command Group, Star Rank and Administrative Officers and not less than five other personnel from each unit/office.
Uniform/Attire:	GOA A

Additional Guidelines — The following activities are allowed to coincide with the Flag Raising Ceremony:

Awarding of Personnel

Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	OTCDS
Remarks:	The number of awardees shall not exceed five (5).

Book/Manual Launching

Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	Concerned unit
Remarks:	The Head of Office shall be the one to present the manual/book to the Chief, PNP

Actual or Ceremonial Turn-Over of Donated Items

Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	Concerned unit

(b) Flag Lowering Ceremony

Plan A (Regular)

Date:	Every Friday
Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	OTCDS
Participants:	Groupings
Uniform/Attire:	GOA A
Remarks:	• All offices/units are authorized to divide their personnel into two groups (A and B) who will alternately attend the Flag Lowering ceremony, except when there are retirement honors. • Practice starts at 3:00 PM. • Formation is at 4:00 PM. • Ceremony will start at 4:30 PM.

Plan B (Inclement Weather)

Date:	Every Friday
Venue:	Multi-Purpose Center
OPR:	OTCDS
Participants:	Command Group, Star-rank and Administrative Officers and not less than five other personnel from each unit/office.
Uniform/Attire:	GOA A

Additional Guidelines — The following activities are allowed to coincide with the Flag Lowering Ceremony:

Retirement Honors for Star-Rank Officers

- Command Group

Venue:	Grandstand or in front of NHQ Building
OPR:	OTCDS
Remarks:

- Other Star-Rank Officers

Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	OTCDS

Salamat Kapatid Program

Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	PRBS
Remarks:

(c) Change of Command

Date:	As scheduled
Venue:	MPC
OPR:	OTCDS
Participants:	All Personnel
Uniform/Attire:	Ceremonial Blue

(d) Oath Taking Ceremony

Date:	As scheduled
OPR:	DPRM supervised by OTCDS
Participants:	Promotees
Uniform/Attire:	GOA A

- Third Level

o Star Rank

• 1 Promotee	Venue: OCPNP
• 2-3 Promotees	Star Lounge
• 4 and up	MPC
o PSSUPT	MPC for Crame-based
	PCOs
	Other equivalent venue for NCRPO
	Uniform/Attire: GOA A

• Second Level

Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
Uniform/Attire:	GOA A for PCO
	GOA B for PNCO
Remarks:	To be held right after the Flag Raising Ceremony.
• NUP
Venue:	Respective offices
Uniform/Attire:	NUP Uniform

(e) Unit Anniversary

Date:	To be held on the actual date of anniversary or availability of guest speaker.
Venue:	MPC
OPR:	Concerned unit supervised by OTCDS
Participants:	Members of concerned unit
Uniform/Attire:	GOA A

(f) Signing of MOA/MOU and/or other Contracts and Agreements

Date:	To be held on the availability of the signatories or on a Monday at 10:00 AM.
Venue:	Ante-Room
OPR:	Concerned unit supervised by OTCDS
Participants:	Parties to the agreement
Uniform/Attire:	Uniform of the day

(g) Visit of Foreign Dignitaries (with Arrival Honor)

Date:	As scheduled
Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	DI supervised by OTCDS
Participants:	Escort and Honor Guards
Uniform/Attire:	Uniform of the day

(h) New Year's Call

Date:	To be held within the first week of January of each year
Venue:	MPC
OPR:	DPRM supervised by OTCDS
Participants:	All Directors and Third Level Officers
Uniform/Attire:	Ceremonial Blue

(i) PNP Foundation Day and Wreath-laying Ceremony

Date:	To be held within January of each year
Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	OTCDS
Participants:	All PNP personnel
Uniform/Attire:	GOA A

(j) Day of National Remembrance for 'SAF 44'

Date:	January 25 of each year
Venue:	Camp Crame
OPR:	DPCR supervised by OTCDS
Participants:	All Personnel
Uniform/Attire:	GOA A

(k) Mass Wedding

Date:	February 14 of each year
Venue	PNP St. Joseph Chapel
OPR:	OTCDS
Participants:	Command Group and concerned personnel
Uniform/Attire:	Ceremonial Blue

(l) Opening and Closing of Sportsfest

Date:	As scheduled
Venue:	PNP Gym
OPR:	HSS supervised by OTCDS
Participants:	All Personnel
Uniform/Attire:	Athletic uniform
Remarks:	To be held after Flag Raising Ceremony

(m) Opening and Closing of Sports Clinic

Date:	As scheduled
Venue:	MPC
OPR:	HSS supervised by OTCDS
Participants:	Dependents of PNP personnel
Uniform/Attire:	Athletic uniform
Remarks:	To be held during Athletics day

(n) Independence Day Mass Formation

Date:	June 12 of each year
Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	DPCR supervised by OTCDS
Participants:	All Personnel
Uniform/Attire:	GOA A

(o) Police Service Anniversary

Date:	To be held within the month of August each year, depending on the availability of the President
Venue:	MPC
OPR:	OTCDS
Participants:	All Personnel
Uniform/Attire:	Ceremonial Blue

(p) Christmas Tree Lighting

Date:	To be held within the first week of December of each year
Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	DPCR and HSS supervised by OTCDS
Participants:	All Personnel
Uniform/Attire:	Uniform of the day

(q) Christmas Ball

Date:	To be held on the second Friday of December of each year
Venue:	MPC
OPR:	DPCR supervised by OTCDS
Participants:	Command Group and other Star-Rank Officers
Uniform/Attire:	Mess Jacket

(r) Christmas Celebration/Party

Date:	To be held a day before the start of the Christmas Break of each year
Venue:	In front of NHQ Building
OPR:	OTCDS
Participants:	All Personnel
Uniform/Attire:	Civilian attire

 

7. PENALTY CLAUSE:

Any violation of this MC shall be dealt with in accordance with existing disciplinary policies. The violator's direct supervisor or the field commander concerned shall be administratively charged under the doctrine of command responsibility.

8. REPEALING CLAUSE:

All existing PNP directives and other issuances which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this MC are hereby rescinded or modified accordingly.

9. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE:

Any portion of this MC inconsistent with the organic law or declared unconstitutional shall not affect the validity of the other provisions. AcICHD

10. EFFECTIVITY:

This MC shall take effect after 15 days from filing a copy thereof at the UP Law Center in consonance with Section 3, Chapter 2, Book VII of Executive Order 292, otherwise known as the "Revised Administrative Code of 1987," as amended.

 

(SGD.) RONALD M. DELA ROSAPolice Director GeneralChief, PNP