The National Security Policy 2023-2028 (NSP 2023-2028) was enacted as the testament to commitment to confronting traditional and non-traditional security challenges head-on even as we foster and environmental that is conductive to our continued advancement.

But the infamous incidents of both the Zamboanga City Crisis in 2013 and the Marawi Siege in 2017 displaced and harmed thousands of innocent civilians and destroyed homes in a highly urbanized area. Both PNP and AFP, with different roles and missions, are both responsible for maintaining peace and order in the country. Unfortunately, investigations of the crime scene in armed conflicts are complex and challenging on the part of the PNP-FG that is responsible for the collection, preservation, and analysis of forensic evidence. Their role also includes the identification of victims and the reconstruction of events.

This capstone study, therefore, intends to explore the opportunities and issues for collaboration between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police Forensic Group in the conduct of Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) during armed conflicts. Further, the study dealt with the complexities of armed conflicts on the collaboration between two agencies for security concerns, volatile environment and complex dynamics that exist during times of armed conflict.

It was later found that there were already standing policies and procedures available, most significant of which is the JPSCC Letter Directive No. 03-2021, where both the PNP and the AFP, to include the PCG, to work against various threats to the country’s peace and security that cut across different sectors and can affect various stakeholders.

However, JPSCC Letter Directive No. 03-2021, under the Joint Legal and Investigation Cell, should be amended, with an addendum, to include the conduct of SOCO by the PNP Forensic Group in collaboration with the AFP to provide its LAW Enforcement Support Operations, to provide for the PNP SOCO operatives; security and safety support, mobilization and transportation support, communication support, among others for the conduct of SOCO during armed conflicts. Additionally, this collaboration should conduct simulation exercises of such armed conflict scenarios through a periodic Command Post Exercises (CPX) or Tabletop Exercises (TTX) in the regional and provincial committee levels in order for both agencies to be specifically clear on how both agencies would perform their respective duties to conduct SOCO during armed conflicts.