D.P.A. (Straight from the camp)
By Francisco B. Lindero, Jr.

RED ALIS

(Read: Red alert) The warning must not be unfamiliar to everyone (though I made a little modification to depict the common practice). In many instances, we are informed thru the tri-media that the whole country or a particular region is placed under a certain alert status. Nevertheless, only a few of us do really understand what the particular alert status means. Don't you ever wonder why recently eleven (11) Zarraga PNP personnel were given three-day suspension for failure to report to duty when the region was still under Full Alert status? I believe the real score behind the suspension is not just their failure to report that evening; rather, their willful defiance to the requirements of security pro-active measures required for implementation in that certain occasion caused Iloilo Provincial Director Senior Supt. Efren S Quintos to effect the penalty. The big man couldn't just afford to compromise the security of the general public with the laxity (read: negligence) in the performance of duty of PNP personnel under his command.

The alert status is very significant in all police units. It determines the amount of preparation needed or level of preparedness on security measures being implemented. Generally, the National Headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame , Quezon City provides the directive as to what alert level that must be observed in certain situation; but, in most instances, the officer in-charge of a subordinate unit is given the discretion to place his AOR in certain alert level as appropriate.

I consider this topic for this week for a couple of reasons:

First of all, this is to reiterate to most police officers the guidelines of different alert status level to pre-empt cases similar to Maasin and Zarraga incidents last March 25, Good Friday. For the PNP members, I am sure you know the price of having meted a penalty of even just a day of suspension: Forfeiture of bonuses and other fringe benefits! Sayang naman! It has to be remembered that ignorance of the law excuses no one.

And, secondly, this is to inform the wives of police officers that their husbands are under certain obligations/restrictions when a certain alert status is declared. Well, be on guard, others may use alert status an excuse for certain reason you have in mind. Thus, while you accept your husbands' promise of “duty first” before anything else, it is also reasonable sometimes to ask them a machine copy of a directive of the alert status when you are in doubt of their whereabouts.

So, here we go…

There are three levels of alert status. They were formerly classified as: Red Alert, Blue Alert and White Alert. But, in July 3, 2004, Police Director General Leandro R Mendoza (Retired), the then Chief of the PNP, issued a directive that provides the guidelines to be observed during the pronouncement of alert status in all levels, for purposes of clarity and uniformity of understanding, interpretation and implementation by all PNP units. The said directive renamed the alert levels into: FULL ALERT, HEIGHTENED ALERT AND NORMAL ALERT, respectively.

The following are the briefs of the definition of and requirements for each alert level contained in the said directive:

NORMAL ALERT. It means a condition under normal situation wherein incidence of violence, mass actions and other forms of disturbances might occur. However, the threat is very minimal and the peace and order situation remains stable.

Under this condition, manning of all units/offices is normal and personnel shall perform their normal police functions. Some of them shall be allowed to go on authorized leave or pass.

HEIGHTENED ALERT. It refers to a condition wherein there is an unusual incidence of violence, riots, sabotage, terrorism, civil disobedience, rallies and other mass actions. Insurgents and other terrorists/criminal groups initiate hostilities. The peace and order situation is deteriorating but has not yet reached critical proportions.

When this alert status is declared, uniformed PNP personnel shall be 100% present in their respective offices/units and 50% of them shall remain during off-office hours, weekends and holidays. No one shall be allowed to go on leave and those who were already on leave prior to the declaration of heightened alert may not be recalled, but shall be notified of the alert status through fastest available means. They should be ready to be recalled anytime once the alert status is upgraded.

FULL ALERT. A condition wherein there is a perceived or actual threat to national security. The environment is characterized by large-scale acts of violence, sabotage, riots and other forms of violence, civil disturbance, rallies, demonstrations and nationwide mass actions. There is heightened and alarming escalation of violence and disturbances. Eminent danger to people's lives and communities exists. The prevailing situation disrupts government functions, operations of public utilities and the delivery of basic services to the general public. The peace and order situation becomes unstable.

Under these conditions, all uniformed personnel (100%) must be present in their respective offices during and after office hours, including weekends and holidays. Granting of leaves is suspended and those who were on leave shall be recalled, except for female PNP personnel on maternity leave or those whose given address while on leave is beyond fifty (50) kilometers from mother unit. However, the latter shall report to the nearest police unit which will inform the mother unit by fastest means of communication, followed by a written report, for accounting purposes.

Considering the definition of and requirements in each alert level, alert status is no doubt a barometer of peace and order situation. It also indicates the intensity of pro-active security measures being implemented to prevent the occurrence of violence and other threats to peace and order.

Thus, the proper observance by police personnel to the requirements of each alert level with the support and understanding of the members of their respective families and community are vital in our goal to make our community a peaceful and orderly place to live, work, invest and do business!

To all who gave their reactions and comments on my previous articles, my appreciation. Continue sending your comments and suggestions to rogatepnp@yahoo.com or thru 09193161190.