The PNP Ethical Doctrine states that "all members of the Philippine National Police shall serve with outmost responsibility, integrity, morality, loyalty, and efficiency with due respect to human rights and dignity as hallmarks of a democratic society. The right of the citizens to seek redress of grievances through free speech, peaceful assembly, rallies, strikes, and other forms of mass protest is protected by the Constitution. However, this does not mean that all people with beliefs, opinions, or gripes may just gather any time at any place, without consideration for the rights of others to a peaceful and orderly society. The exercise of a constitutional right must be in accordance with the Law, and the police have to act justly, swiftly, and sternly, whenever there is a need to impose public order and prevent what should be a peaceful assembly from descending into disorderly mob. It is the role of the personnel of the Civil Disturbance Management Units of the Philippine National Police to tread the delicate balance between monitoring and controlling mass action, without trampling on the right of the people to assemble, protest or demonstrate. This means exercising "maximum tolerance" even as they are sometimes subjected to verbal abuse and physical attack. Stopping a passionate crowd from turning into a rioting throng requires a combination of tact and the readiness to bring upon aggressive and unruly demonstrators the full force of the law once diplomacy fails. Policing mass actions necessitates the formulation and implementation of the proper doctrine, extensive training of personnel, logistical support and the appropriate equipment that would protect both the police and demonstrators from physical harm. This study assesses the present status of the QCPD Civil Disturbance Management Units, and also looks into the gaps and areas for improvement insofar as their equipment and personnel are concerned.

Cases of violent demonstrations have actually declined in the past few months. The readiness of the political leadership to engage the demonstrators in dialogue, as well as the skillful negotiations by the police officers with leaders of mass actions led to the improvement of the situation. Perhaps, due to the decrease in the threats, insufficient attention has been given to the CDMUs. As a consequence, it was determined that the training modules on crowd control are merely perfunctory at best; and non-existent at worst. Personnel only undergo a few hours of CDM lessons on what requires days, and even months, of constant study and drills. Also, the equipment and supplies of the personnel are inferior in quality and insufficient in quantity. Logistical support in the field, from transportation to even just the most basic need like water, was found to be deficient.

This poor status in terms of personnel readiness and equipment, and logistical support could lead into catastrophe later. An ineffectually trained force is prone to react nervously and unprofessionally in the face of perceived threats, which could trigger a deadly response to a non-lethal scenario. Such an unfortunate incident would undermine the integrity of the PNP, alienate the citizens that the police are supposed to serve and protect, and further rouse the people into engaging in more aggressive forms of protests, including desperately resorting to armed uprising. This relative lull should therefore not make the PNP complacent. Even today, there are still radical elements of society who thrive, and even appear to already earn a living out of organizing vulnerable and gullible citizens and agitating them into violent protest actions. The PNP CDMU must always be in a state of continuous readiness to react to any concerted actions that could turn into violence. A proactive stance is always a better option than merely reacting to a fluid situation.

The issuance of a PNP Memorandum Circular that would mandate, among others, the:
1. Implementation of a comprehensive, multi-phased CDM training program for the PNP personnel that would enhance their knowledge and capabilities in handling social unrest and civil disturbances.
2. Procurement of superior quality equipment that would effectively protect the police personnel using them from physical harm, thereby fostering a more tolerant stance and non-lethal responses against even the most aggressive protesters.
3. Further inculcation of a philosophy and strategy of professionalism and circumspection among the PNP CDMU personnel in dealing with the citizens they are sworn to serve and protect.