THE PNP THREE TIERED DEFENSE SYSTEM

DIRECTORATE FOR OPERATIONS

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
Camp Crame, Quezon City

A. INTRODUCTION

While terrorism strikes anytime and anywhere, there are enough

insights and experiences that may inform a government defense system.
The way to defeat terrorism is to deny any opening, opportunity,
vulnerability. The means to diminish terrorism’s appeal as the political
weapon of choice is to harness the very mass of people and citizenry that
terrorists aims to conquer through fear. Vigilance in united action is the
first step to weaken the power of terrorism. Noting the truism of Tom
Ridge of the US Homeland Security statement: “There are far more
terrorist targets than defenders.”, this Three-Tiered Defense System also
aims to promote community resiliency, the ability to quickly bounce back
individually and collectively from state of “panic and freeze” in the
immediate aftermath of terrorist incident to normalcy and daily goings-on
of business and life.

This is the strategic foundation of the PNP’s Program of Action

against Terrorism: the Three-Tiered Defense System, utilizing the
synergy of partnerships involving people, police, local government leaders
and all other concerned sectors.

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 INTELLIGENCE – To know the enemy and identify their
potential targets. This requires police-military and Community
Partnership. This involves activities that are not limited to the following as
shown:

TARGET HARDENING – To make it difficult for the

terrorists to succeed in their targets. T the following activities are being
undertaken:

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT – to manage effectively the

incident and mitigate the effects of the blast. In like manner, this
involves partnership among the Security Forces, LGUs and the
Community. The Local Chief Executives takes the lead’s role. This
involves the following as shown:

1. The Local Government Executives (LGEs) will

exercise authority and provide direction, control and supervision in the
conduct of operation;

2. Activate the Crisis Management Team if

practicable under the Incident Manager to initially handle the incident prior
to the arrival of the CMC;

3. Activate the Crisis Management Committee as

shown:

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 POC

CMC

ON-SCENE
COMD POST

OPNS SVC MEDIA

SUPPORT RELATION

 Press release
 List of victims
 In control
 Justice to victims
 Rehab fast

SCTY/ SOCO/ Fire COM INVES/ TRAFFIC/ LIAISON

MED/ TACT’L INVES/ ADMIN MUNIC INTEL CROWD LOGIS
EVAC UNITS EOD Fighting ATION CONTROL TICS
Teams

 Manage
augmentation and
assistance

4. Activate On-Scene Command Post to undertake

the following:

 Secure the blast site and render it safe (Tactical Units).

 Coordinate with the Crisis Management Team (CMT) of the
target area.
 Evacuate and provide first aid (MED/EVAC PLAN).
 Investigate, gather evidence and arrest suspects (SOCO and
Post-Blast Investigation).
 Establish communication linkages with other law enforcement
and government agencies.

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  Manage and provide information on victims and to emphasize
the following:

 We are in control of the situation.

 We will bring justice to the victims.
 We will rehabilitate, and rehabilitate fast.

 Manage augmentation and assistance from the outside, which

can be disorderly, if not pre-planned and organized.
 Control the traffic and the crowd to bring order.
 Put out fires.
 Implement trauma management for survivors and families.

An On-Scene Commander, designated by the Chairman, CMC, will

head the OSCP. He should immediately confer with the designated
Incident Manager of the target to get the initial information and situation
brief of the incident.

Operations Group - This group shall be composed of regular and

special military, police units/elements and other public safety services
deployed in the crisis incident site to perform security functions and
conduct tactical operations/intervention necessary and appropriate to
neutralize the terrorist elements/perpetrators at the earliest possible time
and at minimum risk and cost to life and property.

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 Medical/Evacuation Team – The medical team provides
medical supplies and services. It shall maintain contact with
hospitals to ensure that they are prepared to handle any
eventuality. It shall plan for the reception, treatment and
evacuation of hostages and other casualties during and after
the conclusion of the crisis incident.

 Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team – This

team conducts post-blast investigation and renders the area
safe prior to further investigation and gathering of evidence.

Scene of Crime Operations (SOCO)/Investigation Team –

This team provides the necessary investigative support to the
On-Scene Commander. The team conducts investigation,
collation and preservation of evidence, documentation and
provides legal advice to the on-scene commander. Its efforts
are concentrated within the incident area and its immediate
environs.

 Security/Tactical Team – This team is composed of military

or police personnel who shall compose the area and
perimeter security. Depending on the magnitude of the
crisis, area security outside the immediate vicinity of the
incident shall be established to prevent other forces friendly
to the perpetrators from interfering or sending reinforcement,
either men or materials. It shall arrest suspects and

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 neutralize any threat in the area. It shall take control of the
area.

 Firefighting Team – This unit is tasked to extinguish fires

intentionally set by the perpetrators or fires resulting from the
operations of the reaction/intervention unit(s).

Service Support Group – This group shall be composed of civilian

agencies/organizations and military/police units tasked to provide
operational and logistics support to the OSCP.

 Administrative Support Team – These are personnel

assigned to the OSCP to keep the written record of events,
monitor incoming and outgoing communications and ensure
continuity between shifts and permits, and prepare accurate
Post-Incident Reports.

 Communications Team – This team is responsible for

insuring effective communications between the OSC and
CMC, between the Operations Teams and the OSCP, and
the Media Relations Team. It may also ensure that control is
established over all other communications in to and out of
the incident site.

 Investigation/Intelligence Teams - The intelligence team is

responsible for the collection and processing of all

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 operational intelligence needed by the OSCP and his staff.
The team must receive all intelligence gathered, and must be
able to task other elements for needed information. The
investigation team is responsible for the build-up and filing of
prosecution-oriented cases in court so that warrants for the
arrest of known personalities will be issued, and arrests and
searches can be made.

 Logistics Team – This team is composed of support

personnel who provide food and drinks, ammunition,
clothing, supplies, equipment, transportation,
lighting/electricity (if needed) and other logistics services.
They also maintain facilities where off-duty personnel can
eat, rest and where briefings can be held. This team must be
able to request needed items from appropriate agencies.

 Traffic Team - This team shall direct and control traffic at the
incident site and all routes leading to and from the site.
Special attention is given to traffic of augmentation forces
and equipment.

 Community Relations and Liaison Team – It shall be

composed of civilian and military/police personnel tasked to
manage augmentation and assistance to the On-Scene
Command Post. It shall designate holding areas, conduct
inventory of augmentation and assistance, and keep records
of arrivals and dispatches, as well as needs and
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 requirements. It shall coordinate with traffic for effective and
efficient provision of assistance and augmentation. Also, this
team conducts civic action, provides public assistance,
coordinates and supervises relocation of civilians displaced
as a result of the terrorist action, of the military/police action
taken against the terrorist elements and other activities
necessary to ensure maximum public cooperation. It assists
in the psychological and psychiatric intervention for victims,
survivors, and families and friends of victims and other
trauma management activities.

Media Relations Group - This group shall be composed of civilian,

military and police personnel tasked to coordinate and control public
information/media coverage, and media relations functions.

 Public Information/Media Relations Team – The team is

stationed at the OSCP, or in the designated media
room/facility. Public pronouncements and press statements
must be accurate, deliberate and geared towards providing
relevant and timely information on the situation, the victims,
the suspects and the actions the government has
undertaken. The press relations or public information officer
may release approved information to members of the print
and broadcast media. The team may provide video coverage
for documentation and training purposes when cleared by the
CMC through the On-Scene Commander.

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The Incident Manager and the Crisis Management Team

The Incident Manager shall be designated in every vital installation

such as seat of government, powerlines, airports, sea ports railways,
water reservoir, tri-media stations, cell sites, etc; economic key point such
as oil depot, granaries/NFA, malls, public markets, theaters, tourist spots,
bus terminals, etc; and other places of convergence such as parks,
churches, schools, parking areas, and establishments that are potential
targets of terrorist attacks. The Incident Manager is one who is the most
knowledgeable on the mentioned areas of convergence, such as security
officers, company managers, barangay captains and the like.

The Incident Manager shall activate the Crisis Management Team to

facilitate initial actions in mitigating the effects of a terrorist incident,
secure the incident site, collect all information available prior to the arrival
of the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) which shall take over the
operations.

The Crisis Management Team shall be composed of persons who

are working within the establishments or members of the community
within the area where the incident occurred such as managers, security
officers, company doctors and nurses, security guards, barangay officials,
barangay tanods, utility personnel and volunteers capable of providing
services such as first aid, firefighting, evacuation, traffic direction and
control, the like.

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 In case of terrorist attack, the Incident Manager shall direct the
members of the Crisis Management Team to establish perimeter security,
give first aid and bring all victims to the nearest hospital, guide other
persons/innocent civilians to a safer place, put out fire if possible, conduct
traffic direction and control and prevent the escape of the perpetrators, if
possible, by cordoning the affected area, prior to the arrival of the Crisis
Management Committee (CMC).

B. SECURITY MEASURES AND GUIDELINES

In view of the obtaining situation our country is facing these days,

the PNP immediately undertook/conducted the following in coordination
with the AFP, the LGUs, NGAs and the community:

a. FOR MASS TRANSPORT/BUS COMPANIES

1. Board and alight in designated points only

2. Detail of bus/MRT/LRT marshals
3. Non-acceptance of unaccompanied luggage (except
those sent by reputable cargo forwarders)
4. Security awareness of drivers/conductors including
passengers
5. Inspection of hand carried luggage involving K-9, etc.
6. Utilization of anti-bomb equipment

b. ON NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS AND

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 CONVENTIONS

1. Organize Special Security Task Force

2. Designate route of vehicles and inspection points away
from the site
3. Inspect all luggage and bags
4. ID system for participants
5. As the space permits, establish wider exclusion areas
6. Utilization of working dogs (K-9)/anti-bomb equipment
7. Employment of detection equipment

c. DURING LARGE GATHERING OF PEOPLE SUCH AS

RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS and FESTIVALS

1. Deploy plainclothes/detectives/watch volunteers

2. Vehicle control and exclusion areas
3. Monitor hotel arrivals and the like.
4. Route of vehicle, loading and unloading should be
designated from an appropriate distance of the
gathering.
5. Mobilization of radio groups.

d. IN MALLS, SCHOOL AND CHURCHES

1. Luggage/bag on hand - to avoid unattended bags etc.

2. Designate multiple exits in case of evacuation
3. 100% luggage/bag inspections

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 4. 100% vehicle inspection in parking areas
5. Parking lot inspection/Security deployment
6. Plainclothes and detectives

e. KEY ESTABLISHMENTS AND VITAL INSTALLATIONS

SUCH AS; NAIA, MALACAÑANG, ADB, OIL DEPOTS, ETC.

- LOI 25/02 (PNP action against attack on

government/public vital installations)
- LOI 38/02 (Action Plan AGAP)
- LOI 35/02 (SANGLAHI)
- ISO MASTER PLAN SANDUGO
- LOI 28/02 (PNP JOINT MINDANAO TF)

C. TIPS ON BOMB SEARCH AND BOMB THREAT PREVENTION

To educate and generate security/safety consciousness among the

public, the DILG-PNP circulated brochures/flyers for Tips on bomb threat
prevention that includes the following:

a. Six-Point Citizen Action In Case Of Bomb Threats

And Bombing Incidents (STRONG)

1. S tay calm

2. T ake proper precautions at home and at work

3. R eport incidents or information to 117 immediately

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 4. O rganize and mobilize monitoring groups in your

neighborhood and in your workplace

5. N eutralize rumors or unverified reports received

through text messages. Delete, do not forward.

6. G et back to normal routine; business as usual as

soon as possible.

I. 10 – POINT POLICE-COMMUNTY ANTI-TERRORISM PLAN

1. Immediate convening of all peace & order councils in the

provinces, cities, municipalities and also the convening of the barangay
Peace and Order Committees (POCs) in order to put in place and activate
their respective anti-terrorism sub-committees to address the terrorist
threats.

2. Adoption by the Peace and Order Councils of all provinces,

cities & municipalities and by the barangay POCs of anti-terrorism public
safety plan with provision on reporting and feedback mechanism to law
enforcement authorities to ensure regular monitoring of un-usual and
suspicious movements of inhabitants in their respective localities.

3. Convening of the barangay assemblies all over the country to

educate their constituents on how to deal and cope with terrorist threats in
their respective barangays.

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 4. Mobilization of all barangay tanods in the country in order to
conduct daily regular “rondas” and searches in accordance with law, in
public places within their respective areas of jurisdiction.

5. Intensification by the AFP/PNP and other law enforcement

agencies of their intelligence work aimed at speeding up- the
identifications of the terrorists groups.

6. Speedy investigation, arrest and prosecution of the

perpetrators responsible for the recent bombing incidents by the AFP/PNP
and other law enforcement agencies.

7. Review and updating by the PNP and other law enforcement

agencies of their respective public safety and security plans in public and
private installations, public places such as shopping malls, markets,
supermarkets, schools, public park and plazas, theaters and amusement
places, bus & jeepney terminals, parking spaces, bus & jeepney stops,
factories and public buildings and the like.

8. A call on the citizenry to be more vigilant and encourage them

to help in the anti-terrorist campaign by immediately reporting to the
authority suspicious persons, pieces of baggage and other materials.

9. Call on the owners, proprietors and administrators of

establishments to review and update their safety & security measures plan
by including the conduct of thorough and regular searches of persons,
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their baggage and their personal belongings in the entrances of their
respective establishments.

10. A call on all NGOs, church groups, civic organizations and

other sectoral organizations in the localities to help and assist their
respective local government officials and their local peace and order
councils and committees in the overall efforts against terrorist threats by
actively participating in the education campaign on how the citizenry can
cope and deal with terrorist threats.

J. CONCLUSION

TERRORISM stands as one of the greatest threats not only to

Philippine security today but also to all other countries of the world.
Despite our successes in the fight against terrorism, we continue to face a
formidable threat.

The means of carrying out terrorist attacks continue to expand as

information related to weapon of mass destruction technologies
proliferated through the worldwide web.

The question is: CAN THE GOVERNMENT PROTECT OUR

PEOPLE? YES WE CAN!

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 HOW? Continued vigilance against terrorism both, on the part
of the government and the private sector. WE MUST COORDINATE.
WE NEED TO COOPERATE. WE HAVE TO BE COMMITTED.

Don’t leave anything to chance. ALWAYS BE PREPARED!

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