PNP, AFP set rules to enforce martial law in Maguindanao

The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday came up with the rules of conduct to be observed by troops enforcing the widely-criticized imposition of martial rule in Maguindanao province in southern Philippines. In a statement, the PNP and the AFP called the list of rules as the “Joint General Norms of Conduct of Police and Military Officers in the Field," which they said, regards the promotion and protection of human rights as topmost priority in their operation. “The (rules) specifically state that due process of law must be observed at all times to safeguard the protection of individual rights as guaranteed by the Constitution," they said. The rules are based on the PNP’s Police Operational Procedures and the AFP’s Rules of Engagement. Other key points in the “Joint General Norms of Conduct of Police and Military Officers in the Field" are:

• Incidental injury to civilians and collateral damage to government and private properties should be minimized in all police and military operations.
• Team leaders of local police and national support units must observe inter-unit coordination at all times, including hot pursuit operations.
• All police intervention operations must be conducted with a marked police vehicle and personnel wearing the proper uniform led by a Police Commissioned Officer.
• Operating units must not use warning shots during any police intervention. All peaceful means must be employed.
• Excessive use of force should be avoided. But during armed confrontation, police may use reasonable force to overcome threat posed by the suspects. They should, however, make sure that innocent civilians are unharmed and caught in the cross fire.
• Moving vehicles may not be fired upon, unless there is probable cause that the suspects pose imminent danger to police and other people.
• After armed confrontation, the officer-in-charge should secure and preserve the site of the clash, evacuate the wounded, and account for casualties and arrested people while waiting for the police’s Scene of the Crime Operatives.

The police and military’s joint operations target armed groups supposedly hiding in different areas in Maguindanao to “resist government security forces and prevent authorities from taking over vital government functions that the local governments have failed to perform." The operatives are also after the perpetrators behind the brutal killing of 57 people in Ampatuan town last November 23. - LBG, GMANews.TV