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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 
701 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The institutionalization of the use of “emergency lines” in other parts of the world has 
greatly prevented unauthorized persons from loitering around an area which are undergoing 
operations by the Police, Fire, Medical and Rescue organizations. It has facilitated smooth 
operation within and around the cordoned area through radial control and management of people 
and space. 
The purpose of the emergency line is to cordon off an area where Police, Fire, Medical 
and Rescue organizations are operating. 
In the case of the Police, the use ofithis mechanism serves to preserve the crime scene. 
Police officers within the area are required to clearly display their police badges should they be 
officers on duty, prevent other crimes that may occur in the area, protect bystanders and limit 
access by unauthorized1 personnel such as, but not limited to, bystanders, officers not on duty, 
newspaper reporters and photographers. 
For the Fire Department, the use thereof will give ample freedom of movement to ensure 
the best possible mean$ of controlling or extinguishing fire; prevent criminals from carting away 
fire equipment; and prevent looting and loitering. But more than these, the line may serve as 
indicator of a specific ‘area where injured persons may be placed for easy access by medical 
personnel. 
I 
For Medical and Rescue Organizations, the use of the line would make ensure that the 
victim has enough room to breath and for the medics to stabilize the victim’s condition through 
first aid application without undue interference and dismption. The line would also help prevent 
the loss of the victim’s personal belongings and valuable rescue equipment. 
In these times, {here is an urgent need to effectively manage emergency situations in the 
country. Our long response times during earthquakes, fires, floods, collapse of buildings and 
other calamities are but manifestations of our ill-prepared emergency response management. 
With this simple line, interference would be lessened and thereby enhance rescue and emergency 
operations among concerned agencies. 
Passage of this measure is urgently requested. 
MANUEL B. VI LAR, JR. 
t. 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
701 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VELAR JR. 
AN ACT PRESCFUBING THE USE OF THE POLICE, FIRE OR RESCUE/DISASTER 
LINE AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the PhilQpines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION. 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Police, Fire or Rescue/Disaster Line Act 
of 2004.” 
SEC. 2. 
defined as follows: 
( 4  
where forensic evidence may be searched or found. 
(b> 
Forensic Evidence - The physical evidence requiring forensic examination and 
evaluation before it can be used as evidence in court or in any judicial or quasi-judicial 
proceeding. 
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Scene of Crime Operations (SOCO) - The mandated functions and activities of police 
forensic personnel such as the scientific collection, handling, preservation and processing of 
evidence in the crime scene. 
( 4  
Scene of Crime Operations Team (SOCO Team) - The forensic evidence response team 
engaged in the evidence collection process who should be the only persons allowed to enter the 
crime scene in order to prevent the destruction, alteration or contamination of evidence. The 
team is composed of forensic specialists/experts including the forensic photographer, evidence 
custodian, among others, 
SEC. 3. Line SpeciJcations. - There shall be established a police, fire or rescue/disaster line 
which is three-inch (3”) wide, of yellow plastic material and of unlimited length to be used to 
cordon off the crime scene or a designated area during police, fire or rescue/disaster operations. 
The plastic should be made of tough quality lightweight material, with a neon-light effect for 
visibility. The following shall be inscripted in black paint on the line: 
(A) 
For the Police Line: 
Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereby 
Crime Scene - The place where the crime is committed and the immediate vicinity 


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“POLICE LINE. ... DO NOT CROSS .... BAWAL TUMAWID .... UNDER PAIN OF 
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION THEREOF ....” 
(B) 
For Fire Line: 
“FIRE LINE .... DO NOT CROSS .... BAWAL TUMAWID .... UNDER PAIN OF 
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION THEREOF.. ..” 
(C) 
For RescueDisaster Line: 
“RESCUE LINE .... DO NOT CROSS .... BAWAL TUMAWID .... UNDER PAIN OF 
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION THEREOF ....” 
SEC. 4. 
Purposes of the Police, Fire or Rescue/Disaster Line. - A three (3)-meter radius 
from the site of the operations corresponding to the perimeter area where a crime incident or 
disaster occurred shall be cordoned off by the emergency police, fire or rescue/disaster line. In 
furtherance thereto, the line shall have the following purposes: 
(A) 
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
criminal elements; and 
(4) 
collection, preservation and handling of evidence from the crime scene by the SOCO team. 
(B) 
For firefighters - 
(1) 
(2) 
and 
(3) 
(C) 
(1) 
by the overcrowding; 
(2) 
(3) 
SEC. 5. 
Penalty Clause. - Any unauthorized person who shall cross the police, fire or 
rescue/disaster line shall be immediately arrested for the act of obstruction of justice and shall be 
punished with a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not 
less than six (6) months or both, such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court: 
Provided, however, That any unauthorized person who, without having to cross a police, fire or 
rescue/disaster line, refuses to leave the vicinity of the crime scene when ordered to do so shall 
be immediately imposed a fine of Three hundred pesos (P300.00) by the duty officer. 
For police investigative bodies - 
To preserve vital protected forensic evidence in the crime scene; 
To allow freedom of movement for the SOCO team; 
To protect bystanders from stray bullets in case of a firefight between the police and the 
To observe standard operating procedures (SOPS) or protocol in the proper recording, 
To prevent potential looters from loitering around the fire scene; 
To allow freedom of movement for the firefighters and their firefighting equipment; 
To protect onlookers from being physically hurt. 
For medical/disaster rescue teams - 
To ensure that the victim has enough room to breathe and is not unnecessarily affected 
To allow freedom of movement for medicalkescue teams; and 
To prevent potential looters from loitering around the area. 


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If the offender is an unauthorized police, military or law enforcement person who is not part of 
the SOCO team, he/she shall be promptly arrested and charged both administratively and 
criminally for violation of this Act. 
A higher penalty should be imposed for violation of any of the prohibited acts hereof, if the 
violation produces harm, damage or serious consequence in the investigation or conduct of 
police, fire or rescue/disaster operation. 
SEC. 6. 
Information Campaign. - The Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG) in coordination with the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), private 
business enterprises and government and non-government organizations shall formulate and 
implement a public information campaign on the establishment and use of police, fire or 
rescue/disaster line. 
SEC. 7. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the approval of 
this Act, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall issue the necessary 
rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SEC. 8. 
Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or 
invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in 
full force and effect. 
SEC. 9. 
with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed accordingly. 
SEC. 10. 
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, rules or regulations which are inconsistent 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5 )  days after its publication in at 
Approved,