Manila Police District
Encyclopedia
The Manila Police District (MPD) is the agency of the Philippine National Police
(PNP) responsible for law enforcement in the City of Manila
. Formerly known as the Western Police District (WPD), the MPD is under the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), which also handles the Quezon City, Eastern, Northern and Southern Police Districts.
. An entirely American body, the force was first stationed at the Goldenberg Mansion, San Miguel
. Being provost marshal, Arthur MacArthur, Jr.
was named first Manila police chief. WIth the enactment of Act No. 183 that established the Manila city charter on July 31, 1901, the force was reorganized and was headed by Capt. George Curry. The Metropolitan Police Force of Manila was renamed into the "Manila Police District," and was initially composed by 357 troops from the American Volunteer Force to the Philippines. The MPD has jurisdiction five miles from the city limits and three miles from the shores to Manila Bay
. This led into disputes with the Philippine Constabulary
, which had police powers elsewhere in the Philippines. In 1907, the MPD was split into two: the Meisic Police Station north of the Pasig River
and the Luneta Police Station south of the river. By 1935, the headquarters was moved to the new Manila City Hall
.
On March 2, 1936, Antonio Torres, then a member of the Manila City Council, was appointed chief, the first Filipino do so. However, on 1942 at the outset of World War II, the Kempetai, the Japanese Military Police, ordered Torres to submit to their authority. After the Battle of Manila, the combined American and Filipino troops reorganized the police force, and Allied forces were appointed chiefs until the appointment of Lamberto Javalera as acting chief of police.
had appointment powers to the office. Notable was the appointment of Ricardo Papa, who organized an anti-smuggling unit that minimized smuggling in the city.
declared martial law in the country and created the Integrated National Police, with the Philippine Constabulary as its nucleus. On December 20, 1974, James Barbers was appointed Superintendent (Police Chief) of the Western Police District (WPD). Metropolitan Police Force (MPF). On February 26, 1986, Marcos was overthrown after the People Power Revolution. A few months later, Alfredo Lim
was appointed chief and increased the number of precincts from six to ten. Lim would later be director of the National Bureau of Investigation, Mayor of Manila
and Senator
. In 1990, the Interior and Local Government Act 1990.was promulgated, that created the Philippine National Police
, absorbing the Philippine Constabulary. Other notable names who had been named as WPD chief are Hermogenes Ebdane on November 5, 1993, and Avelino Razon on June 16, 1996 and December 20, 1999. The two were later named chiefs of the PNP.
On July 20, 2005, the WPD reverted to their former name back to the Manila Police District.
Recently two issues have been hurled against the MPD. One is the recent exposé of a policeman torturing a suspect in a police precinct in Tondo
. The officer who allegedly tortured the suspect was filed with administrative chargers Another was the inept resolution of the Manila hostage crisis
which resulted in the death of 8 tourists from Hong Kong. MPD chief Rolando Magtibay was sacked two days after the failed assault. His replacement, Senior Superintendent Francisco Villaroman, made acting head of the MPD, was replaced after one day. Police did not comment on his removal. However, the Philippine Daily Inquirer said Villaroman was among police officers charged in the disappearance of two Hong Kong residents in the Philippines in 1998 and 1999. Villaroman said that the matter was heavily politicised, as it was linked to the affairs of the now absconded Senator Panfilo Lacson
.
Philippine National Police
The Philippine National Police is the national police force of the Republic of the Philippines. It is both a national and a local police force in that it does provides all law enforcement services throughout the Philippines...
(PNP) responsible for law enforcement in the City of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. Formerly known as the Western Police District (WPD), the MPD is under the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), which also handles the Quezon City, Eastern, Northern and Southern Police Districts.
American period
The MPD was created as the Metropolitan Police Force of Manila by Act No. 70 of the Taft CommissionTaft Commission
The Taft Commission, also known as Second Philippine Commission was established by United States President William McKinley on March 16, 1900. The Commission was the legislature of the Philippines, then known as the Philippine Islands under the sovereign control of the United States during the...
. An entirely American body, the force was first stationed at the Goldenberg Mansion, San Miguel
San Miguel, Manila
San Miguel district is a primarily middle-class residential area of Manila. Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the President of Republic of the Philippines, is located in San Miguel district. Just outside Malacañang Palace's gates lies Mendiola Street, the avenue where most mass protest...
. Being provost marshal, Arthur MacArthur, Jr.
Arthur MacArthur, Jr.
Lieutenant General Arthur MacArthur, Jr. , was a United States Army General. He became the military Governor-General of the American-occupied Philippines in 1900 but his term ended a year later due to clashes with the civilian governor, future President William Howard Taft...
was named first Manila police chief. WIth the enactment of Act No. 183 that established the Manila city charter on July 31, 1901, the force was reorganized and was headed by Capt. George Curry. The Metropolitan Police Force of Manila was renamed into the "Manila Police District," and was initially composed by 357 troops from the American Volunteer Force to the Philippines. The MPD has jurisdiction five miles from the city limits and three miles from the shores to Manila Bay
Manila Bay
Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila , in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world...
. This led into disputes with the Philippine Constabulary
Philippine Constabulary
The Philippine Constabulary ' was the oldest of four service commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was a gendarmerie type para-military police force of the Philippines established in 1901 by the United States-appointed administrative authority replacing the Guardia Civil...
, which had police powers elsewhere in the Philippines. In 1907, the MPD was split into two: the Meisic Police Station north of the Pasig River
Pasig River
The Pasig River is a river in the Philippines that connects Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay. Stretching for , it is lined by Metro Manila on each side...
and the Luneta Police Station south of the river. By 1935, the headquarters was moved to the new Manila City Hall
Manila City Hall
The Manila City Hall is one of the distinct landmarks in the capital city of Manila, in the Philippines. The edifice, with its hexagonal tower with three red-faced clock on three of its facets, received unfavorable reviews in its initial years because of its austere architectural design, lack of...
.
On March 2, 1936, Antonio Torres, then a member of the Manila City Council, was appointed chief, the first Filipino do so. However, on 1942 at the outset of World War II, the Kempetai, the Japanese Military Police, ordered Torres to submit to their authority. After the Battle of Manila, the combined American and Filipino troops reorganized the police force, and Allied forces were appointed chiefs until the appointment of Lamberto Javalera as acting chief of police.
Third Republic
In 1949, the MPD transferred their headquarters for the last time, in a newly constructed building at the corner of San Marcelino and Isaac Peral (now United Nations Avenue); the funding of the reconstruction came from the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1948. By this time, the President of the PhilippinesPresident of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
had appointment powers to the office. Notable was the appointment of Ricardo Papa, who organized an anti-smuggling unit that minimized smuggling in the city.
Martial law to the present
On September 21, 1972, president Ferdinand MarcosFerdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
declared martial law in the country and created the Integrated National Police, with the Philippine Constabulary as its nucleus. On December 20, 1974, James Barbers was appointed Superintendent (Police Chief) of the Western Police District (WPD). Metropolitan Police Force (MPF). On February 26, 1986, Marcos was overthrown after the People Power Revolution. A few months later, Alfredo Lim
Alfredo Lim
Alfredo Siojo Lim is the incumbent Mayor of the City of Manila and a former senator of the Philippines. A widower, he first served as mayor of Manila from 1992 to 1998 and returned to that post after winning in the 2007 mayoral election.-Early life and career:Born on December 21, 1929 in 1324 J...
was appointed chief and increased the number of precincts from six to ten. Lim would later be director of the National Bureau of Investigation, Mayor of Manila
Mayor of Manila
The Mayor of Manila is the head of the executive branch of the City of Manila's government. The mayor holds office at Manila City Hall. Like all local government heads in the Philippines, the mayor is elected via popular vote, and may not be elected for a fourth consecutive term...
and Senator
Senate of the Philippines
The Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines...
. In 1990, the Interior and Local Government Act 1990.was promulgated, that created the Philippine National Police
Philippine National Police
The Philippine National Police is the national police force of the Republic of the Philippines. It is both a national and a local police force in that it does provides all law enforcement services throughout the Philippines...
, absorbing the Philippine Constabulary. Other notable names who had been named as WPD chief are Hermogenes Ebdane on November 5, 1993, and Avelino Razon on June 16, 1996 and December 20, 1999. The two were later named chiefs of the PNP.
On July 20, 2005, the WPD reverted to their former name back to the Manila Police District.
Criticism
The PNP in general, and the MPD in particular, is characterized as slow, unfit, trigger-happy and corrupt. Several policemen have been arrested for committing extortion against violators of the law (popularly known as "kotong," hence the term "kotong cop"). Police are also involved in shootouts, or using excessive force against suspects.Recently two issues have been hurled against the MPD. One is the recent exposé of a policeman torturing a suspect in a police precinct in Tondo
Tondo, Manila
Tondo is a district of Manila, Philippines. The locale has existed prior to the arrival of the Spanish, referred to as "Tundun" in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. One of the most densely populated areas of land in the world, Tondo is located in the northwest portion of the city and is primarily...
. The officer who allegedly tortured the suspect was filed with administrative chargers Another was the inept resolution of the Manila hostage crisis
Manila hostage crisis
As the Hong Thai Travel Services tour bus was taking on the 25 Hong Kong tourists in front of Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Rolando Mendoza attempted to follow the tourists onto the tour bus, requesting a free ride. When his request was declined by the driver, Mendoza brandished a weapon,...
which resulted in the death of 8 tourists from Hong Kong. MPD chief Rolando Magtibay was sacked two days after the failed assault. His replacement, Senior Superintendent Francisco Villaroman, made acting head of the MPD, was replaced after one day. Police did not comment on his removal. However, the Philippine Daily Inquirer said Villaroman was among police officers charged in the disappearance of two Hong Kong residents in the Philippines in 1998 and 1999. Villaroman said that the matter was heavily politicised, as it was linked to the affairs of the now absconded Senator Panfilo Lacson
Panfilo Lacson
Panfilo "Ping" Morena Lacson, Sr. is a Filipino politician. He was Director-General of the Philippine National Police from 1999 to 2001 and has been a member of the Philippine Senate since 2001.-Early life and education:...
.
Lists of chiefs
- From establishment to Commonwealth
- January 9, 1901: Arthur MacArthur, Jr.Arthur MacArthur, Jr.Lieutenant General Arthur MacArthur, Jr. , was a United States Army General. He became the military Governor-General of the American-occupied Philippines in 1900 but his term ended a year later due to clashes with the civilian governor, future President William Howard Taft...
- July 31, 1901: George Curry
- About 1902: J.E. Harvin
- 1913: George Seaver
- June 16, 1918: Anton Hollman
- 1920: Edwin Bopp
- March 20, 1922: John William Green, III
- About March 2, 1929: Gregorio M. Alcid (acting)
- 1930: Columbus Piatt
- January 9, 1901: Arthur MacArthur, Jr.
- From Commonwealth to Western Police District
- March 2, 1936: Antonio Torres
- February 7, 1945: Marcus Ellis Jones
- June 1945: Jeremiah Holland
- March 1946: Angel Tuazon
- July 4, 1946: Lamberto Javalera
- 1947: Manuel dela Fuente
- 1948: Eduardo Quintos
- January 1, 1952: Dionisio Ojeda
- April 10, 1953: Cesar Lucero
- January 6, 1954: Telesforo Tenorio
- May 10, 1962: Marcos G Soliman
- September 17, 1962: Eduardo Quintos (second time)
- April 8, 1965: Eugenio Torres
- May 24, 1966: Ricardo Papa
- March 14, 1968: Enrique Morales
- November 30, 1968: Gerardo Tamayo
- As chief of the Western Police District
- December 20, 1974: James Barbers
- 1978: Pedro Dela Paz
- 1981: Narciso Cabrera
- October 3, 1986: Alfredo LimAlfredo LimAlfredo Siojo Lim is the incumbent Mayor of the City of Manila and a former senator of the Philippines. A widower, he first served as mayor of Manila from 1992 to 1998 and returned to that post after winning in the 2007 mayoral election.-Early life and career:Born on December 21, 1929 in 1324 J...
- December 22, 1989: Ernesto Diokno
- August 7, 1992: Oscar Aquino
- September 7, 1992. Proceso Almando
- December 8, 1992: Romeo O. Odi
- November 5, 1993: Hermogenes Ebdane
- June 16, 1996: Avelino Razon
- August 3, 1998: Virtus Gil
- December 16, 1998: Efren Fernandez
- December 20, 1999: Avelino Razon (second time)
- March 15, 2001: Nicolas Pasinos
- July 29, 2002: Pedro Bulaong
- As chief of the Manila Police District
- August 1, 2006: Danilo Abarzosa
- September 24, 2007: Roberto Rosales
- April 2, 2009: Rodolfo Magtibay
- August 25, 2010: Francisco Villaroman (OIC)
- August 27, 2010: Leocadio Santiago, Jr.