The main focus of the paper was on the implementation of the mandates of the directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Northern Luzon (DIPO-NL). The primary sources were selected DIPO-NL officers for the interview. These were the officers of Administrative and Resource Management Division, Operations Division, Intelligence Division, program Management Division, DIPO-NL.

The following were the themes that emerged. In terms of mandates and functionality, the DIPO-NL is limited mostly to monitoring and supervision in the areas of counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and integrated anti-criminality campaigns. In the he area of anti-criminality, there was also the function of inter-operability with AFP and among PROs, and the socio-economic development as pro-active measures against insurgency, counter-terrorism and integrated anti-criminality campaigns. In the area of anti-criminality, there was also the function of inter-operability with AFP and among PROs, and the socio-economic development as pro-active measures against insurgency. On the issues and concern in anti-insurgency, the major themes were the needed for broadening the functional scope of the DIPO-NL, limited manpower and resources and sustainability issues on the campaign. For counterterrorism, the main issues and concerns are its limited mandate and unclear functional relationship. In terms of ant-criminality, the issues and concerns are the DIPOs limited mandate confined to supervision only. For the proposed measures, the major recommendation for all functions are the strengthening of the organization and manpower upgrade.

The study recommended that as the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Northern Luzon is focused more in monitoring and supervision, it needs to upgrade its personnel capability in the areas of intelligence and operations. The intelligence officers must be trained to be capable to gather intelligence in a multi-regional wide area. The DIPO-NL leadership present the mandate to strengthen the operations and resources in counter-insurgency operations. The counter-terrorist operations must also be issue specific such as terrorism is not yet an alarming stage. Clear mandate on anti-criminality must also be presented to the PNP leadership for resolution. The DIPO-NL leadership must propose socioeconomic programs “Uplifting the Livelihood of Poor People in Northern Luzon” to address the problems in insurgency, terrorism and criminality in Northern Luzon. With the help of the Regional peace and Order Council, areas mired in poverty must be selected for the livelihood programs for maximum impact. The action plan may be used as input for the Area Police Office or Area Police Command when the leadership of the PNP decides to enforce it.