Lesson 7: Crisis Management Unit

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

1. explain the function of the crisis management unit
2. explain the 4 P’s of crisis management
3. identify and explain the functions of the different agencies and units capable of
handling crisis

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
1. Handout

TEACHING-LEARNING ACTIVITY
TACTICAL APPROACHES TO CRISIS MANAGEMENT

THE 4 P’S OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Crisis incidents occur when they are least expected. What makes these incidents
become crisis situations is when they go out of control and cause destruction to life and
property, or endanger public safety. The 4P Crisis Management Model is envisioned to address
crisis situations in two phases:

A. THE PRO-ACTIVE PHASE – designed to predict or prevent the probability of occurrence of

crises and at the same time to prepare to handle them when they occur.

It encompasses the 3 P’s of the 4P Crisis Management Model:

1. PREDICTION – this stage involves foretelling the likelihood of crises occurring whether
natural or manmade through the continuous assessment of all possible threats and
threat groups, as well as the analysis of developing or reported events and incidents.
Crisis incidents can be predicted through updated inputs from intelligence reports as
well as continuous monitoring and analysis of the confluence of related events.
This stage requires continuous study of the target of existing threats, and of the
threat groups, their possible targets, and the vulnerabilities of critical installation and
facilities.

2. PREVENTION – with most manmade crises or emergencies, this stage involves the
institution of passive and active security measures, as well as the remedy or resolution of
destabilizing factors and security flaws leading to such crises or emergencies.

3. PREPARATION – this entail planning organization, training and stockpiling of equipment

and supplies needed for such crises or emergencies. Simulated drills at unspecified days
and times test the effectiveness of preparations, bring out flaws and weakness, and
enable corrections or remedies effected to heighten levels of readiness of systems,
procedures, organization, equipment and logistics to better cope with actual crises or
emergencies.

B. THE RE-ACTIVE PHASE – this phase covers the last of the 4P’s Crisis Management Model:

4. PERFORMANCE – this is the actual execution or implementation of contingency plan

when a crisis situation occurs despite the proactive measures taken.

The objectives in this stage are to:

a) Ensure a high possibility of success in neutralizing the perpetrators;
b) To minimize, or cushion the adverse effects of the crisis incident; and
c) To ensure a smooth and speedy rehabilitation or return to normalcy.

The performance of crisis management action for terrorist based crises or management is
done in 3 SUB-STAGES:
 a. Initial action – all unit commanders are required to understand and acquaint
themselves on crisis management doctrine. As, commanders, they will be held
responsible for all their actions. Any police or military unit taking cognizance of crises
incidents shall immediately undertake appropriate actions to contain the crisis
situation and report the matter to the cognizant agencies through channels,
regardless whether such crisis situation is within or beyond its capability to handle.
This includes monitoring the progress of the incident, securing the scene,
protecting the unit, establishing the perimeter security, evacuating the innocent civilians,
if possible, and preventing the escape of the perpetrators, until the designated security
and tactical elements or units augment the unit as they arrive. Other than the above
cited tasks, the initial action unit shall not engage in any tactical action against the
perpetrators except in its own defense.

b. Action – this phase begins as soon as the ON-SCENE-COMAND POST (OSCP) is

established and the tactical or intervention, Service Support Units, Negotiation Teams
and the Public Affairs personnel arrive and are deployed. The On-Scene Commander
gradually relieves the initial action unit commander and completes staffing of the
OSCP. The OSC discusses the incident with the commanders and staff of the units and
agencies involved, plans what actions to take and establish positive contact with the
Crisis Management Committee to ensure that all his succeeding actions are cleared.

Action 2 Distinct Activities:

1. Negotiation
2. Tactical action/intervention

c. Post Action – this stage begins as soon as the perpetrators surrender, or when they are
captured or neutralized and the crisis situation is deemed clear. The OSC ensures that
necessary Post Action activities are undertaken to restore normalcy and bring those
responsible in court. This is the clearing of the Scene or Area of Operation trying to return
back the place or area into its normal situation.

GENERAL TASKING AS A MATTER OF POLICY

1. PEACE AND ORDER COUNCIL (POC)

- Organizational body that shall primarily act on crises that arise out of man-made emergencies
- Addresses various aspects of national security particularly those affecting peace and order.
– Concerned with the formulation of crisis management procedures, integration and
orchestration of government, military/police and public efforts towards the prevention and
control of crisis incidents.
Visit - https://dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/issuances/memo_circulars/dilg-memocircular-2019627_4d0a957ad5.pdf

2. NATIONAL ACTION COMMITTEE ON ANTI – HIJACKING AND ANTI-TERRORISM (NACAHT)

- Acts on crises resulting from aircraft hijacking, disturbances in the civil aviation, or terrorism that
has national significance.
Visit https://lawphil.net/executive/execord/eo1995/eo_246_1995.html

3. NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (NDRRMC), formerly

known as the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)
- Acts on crises that occur as a result of natural disasters or calamities.
- The NDCC is an agency of the Philippine government under the DND, responsible for ensuring
the protection and welfare of the people during disasters or emergencies.
- established by Republic Act 10121 of 2010
Visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Disaster_Risk_Reduction_and_Management_Council
CRISIS MANAGEMENT POLICIES

NATIONAL SECURITY
1. Subscription to Anti-Terrorism Covenants - The Republic of the Philippines shall subscribe
to all International Conventions initiatives against terrorism and will participate in all
endeavors designed to strengthen international cooperation in order to prevent and
neutralize terrorist acts.

2. Coordinated and Calculated Response Against Terrorism - The government shall

effectively utilize the National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) through the Special
Action Committees to undertake comprehensive planning and research in order to
develop a coordinated and calculated response against terrorism, in accordance with
our culture, values and justice.

3. Terrorism Considered a Criminal Act - The government considers all terrorist actions,
regardless of motivation as criminal acts and shall undertake all lawful measures to
prevent same acts and bring to justice those who commit such terrorist acts.

4. Lawful Means and Peaceful Resolution of Crisis - The government shall exhaust all lawful
means and seek peaceful resolution of any crisis in order to prevent, if not minimize, the
loss of lives and destruction of properties. However, it will not accede to blackmail or
terrorist demands nor grant any concession.

5. Crisis Situations Involving Foreign Nationals - In crisis situations involving foreign nationals
or in crisis incidents inside embassies or foreign occupied facilities, the government will
act in accordance with existing bilateral understanding or agreement with the foreign
government involved. In the absence of such understanding or agreement, the
government will act in accordance with its policies and maintain close contact and
coordination with the foreign government to choose personnel or properties involved.

6. Involvement of Filipino Nationals in Crisis Incidents Abroad - Similarly, if Filipino nationals

are involved as perpetrators in similar incidents in foreign countries, the government will also
maintain close and continuous contact with the host government and provide requested
information relevant to the situation. If Filipino nationals are the victims, the government shall
provide the necessary assistance for their immediate relief or repatriation to the Philippines.

DND-AFP/DILG-PNP POLICY
7. General - In addressing crises situations, the Crisis Management Organizations and the
military/police shall be generally guided by the foregoing national policies and strictly
implement same.

8. Graduated Armed Response - Armed actions shall be employed in a graduated manner

only after exhausting all peaceful means, using appropriate and necessary means
commensurate to the situation.

9. No Compromise with Terrorists - The government will not compromise nor make
concessions to terrorists even if it involves its personnel and property. The government will
act promptly, decisively and effectively, choosing from the whole range of military/police
actions appropriate to the circumstances.

10. Handling Hostage Situations

a. The AFP/PNP shall ensure the safety of civilian hostage(s) as a paramount
consideration that shall take precedence over all others;
b. Understand and minimize the mental anguish and agony of the victims’ family,
 relatives and friends;
c. Achieve the early liberation of the hostage(s) or victim(s);
d. Ensure the recovery and return of the loot or the fruits of the crime;
e. Ensure the successful case build-up and prosecution of cases against the
perpetrator(s)/suspect(s); and
f. Attain effective integration of the efforts of the operating units for optimum results, to
minimize duplication and unnecessary competition and promote efficiency.

11. Respect for Human Rights - In all their actions in any crisis situation, all AFP/PNP personnel
shall respect the human rights of the victims and the perpetrators. Unit commanders shall
be held responsible that no human rights violations shall take place in the course of its
operations and in handling of those involved in any crisis.

12. Development of AFP/PNP Nationwide Capability to Cope with Terrorist based

Crises/Emergencies
The AFP major services and the PNP shall organize, train, equip and maintain
special units based at GHQ, AFP and NHQ, PNP; with capability for nationwide
deployment.

13. Handling of Crisis at the Lowest Levels Possible

All terrorist-based crises/emergencies which are basically police matters, shall be
handled as much as possible, at the lowest level and resolved at the earliest
possible time.

14. Organization of AFP,PNP Special Action/Reaction Units at all Levels

Basically, pertinent provisions of Executive Order No. 216 series of 1995 shall govern the
organization of AFP and/or PNP units reacting to terrorist-based crises/emergencies.

15. Development of AFP/PNP Anti-Terrorism Doctrines

The AFP/PNP shall continuously develop doctrines, concepts and procedures
for containing terrorism taking into consideration our own culture, values and justice
system.

16. Guidelines in Addressing Crisis Situations Arising from Threats to National Security Pursuant to
Executive Order No. 216, s. 1995.

a. General Principles

1) The AFP shall be employed to address external security threats and such other threats posed
by organized armed groups on the national security and territorial integrity requiring the
employment of large tactical units and military weaponry. The PNP shall support the AFP in the
accomplishment of this function, and shall, in certain instances, initially confront until such time
that the AFP shall have deployed units/elements for the purpose. (As practicable, the PNP
units/elements shall furnish the APP its holdings and assessments on the particular threat to
ensure its continuity and to preclude the occurrences of a security gap).

2) The PNP shall enforce laws and ordinances and perform other law enforcement functions. In
the performance of these functions, it shall have unimpeded access to the operational area
upon prior coordination, and it may call upon, and shall be assisted by the APP. However, the
APP and its units and personnel shall not have law enforcement authority unless the exercise of
such is in support of the PNP or other law enforcement agency or as a private citizen within the
purview of Section 6 of Rule 113 of the Rules of the Court.

3) The PNP shall play a supportive role to the APP during national emergencies, including
disasters and calamities.

4) In the performance of their respective functions, the spirit of cooperation, coordination and
accommodation shall prevail. Direct liaison, including regular interservice intelligence
exchanges and socials among those concerned is encouraged.

5) Service courtesies, particularly in regard to those accorded rank and seniority, shall be
observed among personnel of both the P1P and APP, especially during the conduct of official
business.

6) Whenever units/elements of both the AFP and the PNP are involved in an internal security
operation, the unit/element of the agency with the primary role shall have operational direction
and supervision over the units and elements of the agency playing the supportive role. The
same procedure shall immediately be assumed the case of’ conjunction of’ units/ elements of
the two agencies in the course of independent operations.

7) The units/elements of one agency placed in support of the unit element of the other agency
shall continue to perform its primary mission and statutory functions. Such support unit/element
shall provide sufficient assistance in terms of personnel and resources without jeopardizing the
accomplishment of its primary mission and statutory functions.

b. Strategic Concept
1) Pursuant to RA 6975, the DILG-PNP assumes primary responsibility of preserving the internal
security of the State to include the suppression of insurgency effective 1 January 1995. However,
by virtue of Executive Order Nr. 216, the DNDAFP is called upon to assume primary responsibility
for preserving the internal security in certain areas of the country, as may be determined by the
President upon recommendation of the Peace and Order Council.

2) Notwithstanding the retention of primary responsibility over the internal security in certain
areas by the DND-AFP, eventual compliance with the intent and spirit of the law (i.e. ,.,DILG-PNP
to have primary responsibility) shall be sought.

3) Pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act Nr. 6975 and Section 5 of Executive Order Nr. 216, s. 94,
the President, upon the recommendation of the appropriate Peace and Order Council, may
call upon the AFP to assume the primary role in other areas or approve turn-over of the same to
the PNP in others, depending upon the internal security situation in each particular area.

4) The turn-over of primary responsibility for internal security from the PNP to the AFP and vice
versa in accordance with the procedures and parameters provided in these guidelines shall be
in increments of at least a whole province.

5) General law enforcement functions nationwide shall be the primary concern of the DILG-
PNP.

ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES
Log in to LMS

ASSESSMENT (Log in to LMS)

REFERENCES:
http://www.pnp.gov.ph/images/manualsandguides/DHRDD/Crisis-Management-Manual-1996.pdf