By Martin Sadongdong
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday launched a more centralized system in applying for a police clearance which could aid in its investigation and detection of crimes nationwide.
No less than PNP chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde led the soft-launching of the National Police Clearance System (NPCS) in Quezon City which he said was in response to President Duterte's order to reduce the requirements and streamline the application of government services to combat red taping.
"This standardization and streamlining of the process of the issuance of police clearance will greatly benefit both the PNP and the as it will centralize crime-related record checking nationwide and integrate all existing PNP crime-related databases provide a more convenient service for the public," Albayalde said.
"With this, it is now easier to track criminals from the shift of records from Local Police Clearance System to the National Police Clearance System," he added.
In the new police clearance application, an individual can now apply online by checking the requirements and registering at www.pnpclearance.ph. Through online registration, the applicant will have to choose what day, what time and in what police station will s/he claim the police clearance.
The applicant will then have to pay a P150-fee through the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) online portal. Finally, the applicant will have to go to the designated police station on the date of the appointment and have his/her picture, fingerprints and signature taken before claiming the police clearance.
The police clearance will be valid for six moths and can be renewed again after its expiration date, he added.
"This would significantly improve the process on criminal record checks across jurisdictions wherein an applicant's criminal history and biometrics are verified from databases," Albayalde said.
The system, according to the PNP chief, is equipped with a number of databases used by the PNP headquarters including the Case Information Database Management System (CIDMS), a list of all the cases being investigated by the police force; the Crime Incident Recording and Analysis System (CIRAS) which contains the blotter reports of incidents reported to the police; and an E-rogue which has the gallery of all crime suspects that were arrested nationwide.
"The system would assist investigators in case buildups and consequently increase crime-solution efficiency," Albayalde noted.
Furthermore, the launching of the NPCS also aims to "identify any deficits in the process and system so as early as now we may take necessary actions to counter it once we fully implement it all through out the country."
The system was launched in five police stations under the jurisdiction of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) namely the Police Station in La Loma, Police Station 7 in Cubao, Police Station 8 in Project 4, Police Station 9 in Anonas and Police Station 10 in Kamuning.
The launching of the NPCS was conducted as the National Police Commission (Napolcom) authorized the implementation of the system to the PNP.
The Napolcom en banc issued Resolution No. 2016-393 dated June 17, 2018 which approves the execution of the centraalized system for criminal record and checking