CDM Operations

PMAJ GIDEON T INES JR 0-17842

MAKATI CPS, SPD
Who’s job is to make the
crowd Safe?
 What is civil disturbance
Group acts of violence and disorder
prejudicial to public law and order.
 GENERAL GUIDELINES

The PNP units tasked to maintain peace and

order shall not interfere with the holding of
public assembly.
 GENERAL GUIDELINES
To ensure public safety, a Civil Disturbance
Management (CDM) contingent under the
command of a Police Commissioned Officer (PCO)
with the rank of Police Senior Inspector or higher
shall be detailed and stationed at least 100 meters
away from the place where the public assembly is
being held.
 GENERAL GUIDELINES

In the absence of any permit from the LGU

concerned, the PCO in command should exert
effort in persuading the demonstrators to
disperse peacefully and vacate the public place.
 SPECIAL PROCEDURES

In lightning rallies or demonstrations, the

Ground Commander shall exhaust efforts
through dialogue with the leaders/organizers for
voluntary dispersal. In case of failure, orderly
dispersal to include apprehension of those
responsible is resorted to
 SPECIAL GUIDELINES

 When assistance is requested by the

leaders/organizers, it shall be imperative for
the CDM contingent to perform their duties
while observing the rights of demonstrators
 SPECIAL GUIDELINES

 The members of the CDM contingent dealing

with the demonstrators shall be in prescribed
uniform.
 The CDM contingent shall not carry any kind
of firearms but may be equipped with baton or
riot sticks, crash helmets with visor, gas
masks, boots or ankle-high shoes with shin
guards
 SPECIAL GUIDELINES

 Maximum tolerance shall always be

observed.
 The organization and membership of CDM
contingents, as well as their deployment and
employment, shall be in accordance with
existing PNP rules and regulations.
 CDM Operational Tasks
 a. Isolate the area;
 b. Secure likely targets;
 c. Control crowds;
 d. Establish area control; and
 e. Neutralize special threats.
 CDM Operational Approaches
 The commitment of a CDM contingent must be
viewed as a last resort. Their role, therefore, should
never be greater than what is necessary under the
circumstances. This does not mean though that the
number of troops employed should be minimized.
Doubts concerning the number of troops required
should normally be resolved in favor of deployment
of large number since the presence of such large
number may prevent the development of situations
in which the use of excessive force would be
necessary. A large reserve of troops should be
maintained during civil disturbance operations
 CDM Operational Approaches
b. The Ground Commander and his personnel
must adhere to the “minimum necessary force”
principle.

c. Efforts should be exerted to create the image of

a restrained and well-disciplined force, the sole
purpose of which is to assist in the restoration of
law and order. Further, while CDM contingent
should be visible, any activity which might excite
rather than calm should be avoided when possible.
 CDM Operational Approaches
d. Consistent with the controlling principle “that
he must use the minimum necessary force to
accomplish his mission”, the Ground
Commander shall equip the CDM contingent
only with rattan stick/truncheon/baton, shield,
Kevlar helmet and handcuffs.
 CDM Operational Approaches
e. In situations requiring the use of baton/
truncheons should only target fleshy part of the
body such as arms, torso, legs, and thighs.
Hitting protesters with the baton or truncheon on
the head, face, neck, shoulders blades, elbows,
fi ngers, groins, knees, and ankles must be
avoided since strikes to these part may cause
serious to permanent injuries, or even death.
 CDM Operational Approaches
f. Protesters that are arrested must be properly
restrained/handcuffed using scientific control
methods; and thereafter, brought safely to the
police station for processing. Arrested
protesters must not be kicked, punched, or
dragged by hair or feet.
 CDM Operational Approaches
g. Whenever appropriate, deploy properly
trained and equipped female CDM personnel as
front-liners.
Demolition and Ejectment Orders

ROLE OF THE PNP

 Role of the PNP in the Enforcement of a
Demolition and/ or Ejectment Orders
a. Police assistance in the enforcement or
implementation of a demolition or ejectment order
shall be granted only upon a written request of the
Sheriff or equivalent officer in quasi-judicial and
administrative bodies accompanied by a valid order
issued by a competent court, quasi-judicial or
administrative body and, when required, with written
permission from the Local Housing Board in
accordance with EO 708 amending EO 152 and
DILG Memo Circular No. 2008-143.
 Role of the PNP in the Enforcement of a
Demolition and/ or Ejectment Orders
The proponent shall only be provided with police
assistance upon compliance with the requirements
including the requirements under Sections 27, 28,
and 30 of RA 7279 (Urban Development and
Housing Act), when applicable.
Police assistance shall be coordinated with the
concerned local Chief Executive before its
enforcement.
 Role of the PNP in the Enforcement of a
Demolition and/ or Ejectment Orders
The conduct of pre-demolition conference in
cases where the affected families are informal
settlers shall be mandatory.
The duties of PNP personnel in any demolition
or ejectment activity shall be limited to the
maintenance of peace and order, protection of
life and property, and enforcement of laws and
legal orders. d. PNP personnel tasked to
provide police assistance shall be in prescribed
uniform during the actual demolition.
 Role of the PNP in the Enforcement of a
Demolition and/ or Ejectment Orders

PNP personnel tasked to provide police

assistance shall be in prescribed uniform during
the actual demolition;
Limited only to occupying the first line of law
enforcement and civil disturbance control;
Shall not participate in the physical dismantling
of any structure subject of demolition; and shall
use only necessary and reasonable force.
 Role of the PNP in the Enforcement of a
Demolition and/ or Ejectment Orders
 PNP personnel should be informed of the
prevailing situation, their tasks, and strict
observance of Human Rights.
 The Chief of Police (COP) shall lead the PNP
contingent detailed to assist the Sheriff or
equivalent officer during the demolition/ejectment
activity.
 All PNP personnel involved shall desist from the
use of any unnecessary force or any act that may
harm, harass, or terrorize the affected parties
 Role of the PNP in the Enforcement of a
Demolition and/ or Ejectment Orders
 The mode of participation shall be limited to
the maintenance of peace and order during the
entire demolition/ejectment activity, ensuring
the protection of all parties from harm and
injury.
 Tear gas, water cannon, and reasonable force
shall be used only when all other peaceful and
non-violent means have been exhausted
 Crowd control

is the controlling of a crowd, to prevent the

outbreak of disorder and prevention of possible riot.

 It calls for gentler tactics than riot control. Materials such

as stanchions, crowd control barriers, fences and decals
painted on the ground can be used to direct a crowd.
Keeping the crowd comfortable and relaxed is also
essential, so things like awnings, cooling fans (in hot
weather), and entertainment are sometimes used as well. 
Riot control

refers to the measures used

by police, military, or other security forces
to control, disperse, and arrest persons
who are involved in a riot, demonstration,
or protest. If a riot is spontaneous and
irrational, actions which cause people to
stop and think for a moment (e.g. loud
noises or issuing instructions in a calm
tone) can be enough to stop it.
Crowd control barriers

act as a physical and

psychological barrier, used to define
"no access" zones, and to designate
space for lines. They are also used
by riot police to control large
gatherings.
Type of crowd control barriers usually used
 Man-made Critical Incident

refers to special events, acts of

terrorism, destabilization and criminal
activities that require prompt
implementation of police procedures or
interventions to contain and mitigate the
incident as well as to normalize the
situation
Maximum Tolerance

means the highest degree of

restraint that the police, military and
other peace keeping authorities shall
observe during a public assembly or
in the dispersal of the same.
Necessary and Legal Means

shall include, but not limited to, the

employment of appropriate number of
troops, armor assets and tactical or
special units to effectively and
permanently quell the threat or present
danger, or to swiftly restrain or arrest
the suspect or suspects.
Freedom Park

shall mean the venue or place

established or designated by local
government units within their respective
jurisdictions where a public assembly could
be held without securing any permit for
such purpose from the local government
unit concerned.
 Public assembly

means any rally, demonstration, march,

parade, procession or any other form of mass or
concerted action held in a public place for the
purpose of presenting a lawful cause; or
expressing an opinion to the general public on
any particular issue; or protesting or influencing
any state of affairs whether political, economic
or social; or petitioning the government for
redress of grievances.
 Public place

shall include any highway, boulevard,

avenue, road, street, bridge or other
thoroughfare, park, plaza, square, and/or
any open space of public ownership where
the people are allowed to access.
 Rules to be observed by CDM during
Labor Disputes

1. Limited to maintenance of peace and order;

2. Enforcement of laws and implementation of legal

orders ;
3. Render assistance only upon written request to
RD/DD;
4. Shall be in prescribed uniform at all times;
5. Exercise maximum tolerance;
6. PNP personnel should not interfere in a strike, picket
or lockout;
7. Outside 50-meter radius from the picket line.
 Applicable Legal Parameters

The pertinent provisions of the Public Assembly Act of 1985

(Batas Pambansa Bilang 880), the Labor Code of the Philippines, as
amended and other applicable laws, shall be observed. Law
enforcement agents shall at all times:
a) exercise maximum tolerance;
b) In case of unlawful aggression, only reasonable force may
be employed to prevent or repel it;
c) The employment of tear gas and water cannons shall be
made under the control and supervision of the Ground Commander;
d) No arrest of any leader, organizer, or participant shall be
made during the public assembly, unless he/she violates any
pertinent law as evidence warrants.
 Policies during Rallies and Demonstrations:

1. Adheres to the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials

adopted by the General Assembly of the UN which requires law
enforcement officials to respect and protect human dignity;
2. Public assemblies held in freedom parks or on private property do
not need a permit for the activity;
3. Public assembly held in a public place must have a permit from
the mayor of the city or municipality exercising jurisdiction over the
place where it will be held;
4. A public assembly held with or without a permit may be peacefully
dispersed. However, if with a permit, may be dispersed if being
held in violation of the terms and conditions imposed in the permit;
5. Should any of the participants refuse to disperse voluntarily or
violate any law or ordinance, they shall be taken into police
custody and be charged accordingly.
6. Exercise maximum tolerance.
 Limitations on the role of the PNP CDM.

1. not interfere with the holding of a public

assembly;
2. Police contingent under the command of a
PCO preferably with the rank of PSINSP
may be detailed and stationed in a place at
least one hundred (100) meters away from
the area of activity.
 Guidelines for CDM

1. Shall be in prescribed uniform without firearm;

2. Tear gas, smoke grenades, water cannons, or
any similar anti-riot device shall be used only
when the public assembly is attended by
actual violence or serious threats of violence,
or deliberate destruction of property.
Dispersal of Public Assemble with Permit
when becomes violent

1. At the first sign of impending violence, the Ground

Commander of the PNP contingent shall call the attention
of the leaders of the public assembly and ask the latter to
prevent any possible disturbance;
2. If actual violence reaches from the participants, the Ground
Commander shall audibly warn the participants that if the
disturbance persists, the public assembly will be dispersed;
3. If the violence does not stop, the Ground Commander shall
issue a warning and, after allowing a reasonable period of
time elapse, he shall immediately order it to disperse;
4. No arrest of any leader, organizer or participants shall be
made unless a law, statute or ordinance had violated.
Dispersal of Public Assemble without Permit

1. Peacefully dispersed;
2. Maximum tolerance
 Prohibited Acts during peaceful assembly

1. Obstructing, impeding, disrupting or otherwise denying

the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly;
2. The unnecessary firing of firearms to disperse;
3. The carrying of a deadly or offensive weapon or device
such as firearm, pillbox, bomb, or any kind;
4. Malicious burning of any object in the streets or
thoroughfares;
5. Carrying of firearms by the CDM contingents;
6. Interfering or intentionally disturbing by the use of a
motor vehicle, its horns and loud sound systems;
7. Drinking of liquor or alcoholic beverages; and
8. Gambling.
Responses during Public Assembly

1. Planning Stage
2. Initial and Peaceful Stage
3. Breach of Peace/Confrontational Stage
4. Violent Stage
5. Post-Operation Stage
 During Planning Stage

1. Initiate dialogue with the leaders/organizers to

ensure the peaceful holding of a public
assembly
 During Initial and Peaceful Stage (with permit
or held in freedom parks)

1. To ensure public safety, a CDM contingent under the control and supervision
of PCO shall be stationed at least 100 meters away from the area where the
public assembly is being held;
2. Monitor the activities;

If without a Permit or Permit has been revoked:

a) the Ground Commander shall immediately conduct an inquiry whether the
assembly is covered with a permit or not;
b) exhaust all peaceful remedies to persuade the demonstrators to disperse;
c) should negotiation fail and the demonstrators refuse to disperse voluntarily
and peacefully, CDM contingents may commence dispersal operations.
During Breach of Peace/Confrontational Stage
(with or without permit)

1. No public assembly with a permit shall be dispersed. However,

when becomes violent, the CDM contingents may disperse, in
the following manner:
a) At the first of impending violence, the Ground Commander
shall call the attention of the leaders/organizers of the public
assembly and ask the latter to prevent any possible disturbance
b) CDM contingents shall hold the line to prevent demonstrators
from proceeding to other areas where the holding of a public
assembly is prohibited.
c) If actual violent reaches from the participants, the Ground
Commander shall audibly warn the participants that if the
disturbance persists, the public assembly will be dispersed.
 During Breach of Peace/Confrontational
Stage (with or without permit)

d) If the violence or disturbance does not stop, the Ground

Commander shall audibly issue a warning to the participants, and
after allowing a reasonable period of time to lapse, shall immediately
order it to disperse with the use of CDM formations.
e) Water cannons and riot sticks maybe used to repel aggression
and to disperse demonstrators.
f) No arrest of any leader, organizer or participant shall be made
unless a law, statute or ordinance has been violated during public
assembly.
During Violent Stage

1. Non-lethal weapons and equipment may

be used to suppress violence, to protect
lives and prevent further damage to
properties;
2. PNP security elements shall be tactically
deployed to provide immediate
assistance to the CDM contingents.
 Post-Operation Stage

1. CDM contingents shall be withdrawn after the

area has been cleared of possible danger to
public safety;

2. Sufficient police force shall be maintained to

ensure peace and order in the area.
 Guidelines in the Use of Non-Lethal
Weapons

1. Shield and Truncheon or baton may be utilized only

to push back demonstrators;
2. Water cannons may be utilized when demonstrators
become unruly and aggressive forcing troops to fall
back to their secondary positions;
3. Tear gas and pepper spray may be utilized to break
up formations or groupings of demonstrations who
continue to be aggressive and who refuse to
disperse despite earlier efforts.
Guidelines in dealing with Assemblies, Rallies,
Demonstrations and Marches

1. Confined Assemblies in Private Property

(Churches, Schools, etc)

a) Initiate the conduct of dialogue with the

leaders/organizers
b) Secure and maintain order within the
perimeter.
Guidelines in dealing with Assemblies, Rallies,
Demonstrations and Marches

1. Confined assemblies in Freedom Park

a) Initiate the conduct of dialogue with the

leaders/organizers.
b) Request for the permit from the
leaders/organizers if the local ordinance of the
area requires one.
c) Secure and contain the area within the
limits of the permit to ensure the orderly and
peaceful conduct of the assembly.
Guidelines in dealing with Assemblies, Rallies,
Demonstrations and Marches

1. Mobile Assemblies in a Private Area

a) Initiate the conduct of dialogue

with the leaders/organizers;
b) Secure and maintain order within
the perimeter;
Guidelines in dealing with Assemblies, Rallies,
Demonstrations and Marches

1. Marchers and Motorcades along Public

Thoroughfares

a).Initiate the conduct of dialogue with the

leaders/organizers;
b) Request for the permit from the
leaders/organizers if the local ordinance of the
area requires one;
c) Ensure the orderly and peaceful conduct
of the marches and motorcades to ensure
public safety and to prevent compromise of
public convenience.
Guidelines in dealing with Assemblies, Rallies,
Demonstrations and Marches

b) There shall always be a designated Ground

Commander at the rally site;
c) Apply slow dispersal technique whenever it is
applicable;
d) Provide a medical team to extend
assistance;
e) All CDM operations shall be properly
documented with video and photo coverage;
f) Respect for human rights and equal treatment
g) Maximum tolerance.
CDM operational tasks

a) Isolate the area;

b) Secure likely targets;
c) Control crowds;
d) Establish area control; and
e) Neutralize special threats.
List of CDM personnel during special
events/demonstrations (SONA, Labor Day, etc)

1. Ground Commander
2. Assistant Ground Commander
3. Negotiator
4. Assistant Negotiator
5. Legal Officers
6. Human Rights personnel
7. Investigating/Arresting Team
8. Medical Team
9. QRT (Swat, EOD)
10.BJMP personnel
11.BFP Personnel