NCJ Number
101895
Journal
CJ International Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (May-June 1986) Pages: 9-16
Date Published
1986
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Following an overview of the geography, politics, economy, and history of the Philippines, this article describes the Philippine criminal justice and law enforcement systems.
Abstract
The description encompasses criminal procedures, rights of the accused, the court structure, and the corrections system. Also covered are the history and structure of law enforcement up to Corazon Aquino's assumption of power. This description focuses on the oldest Philippine law enforcement group, the Philippine Constabulary (PC), established out of a need for a national force to quell revolutionary guerilla forces and social unrest after the 1901 Philippine-American war. The PC's principal concern is to preserve internal security, and it was recognized as a national police force after 1938. Reconstituted after World War II, the PC has primary authority for enforcing national laws. Special units are assigned to specific criminal interests. The PC was chosen as the nucleus for the integration of local police, custodial, and firefighting services, known as the Integrated National Police (INP). The INP and PC share duties at local policing levels as well as at administrative levels. The description of the law enforcement system also covers training, personnel numbers, and administrative structure. 20-item bibliography.