In the Philippines, a National Police Clearance (NPC) is a vital document for employment, licensing, and various government transactions. However, for many Filipinos, the application process hits a snag when they receive a "Hit"—an indication that their name is linked to a criminal record.

Understanding why this happens and how to rectify it is essential for protecting your reputation and your right to gainful employment.

Why a "Hit" Occurs

A "Hit" does not necessarily mean you are a criminal. It simply indicates that your name (or a name similar to yours) appears in the Philippine National Police (PNP) database. This can happen for several reasons:

Identity Match (Identity Theft/Mistaken Identity): You share a name with someone who has a criminal record or an outstanding warrant. This is the most common reason for a "Hit."
Pending Cases: You have an ongoing criminal case in court that has not yet reached a final judgment.
Previous Convictions: You were previously convicted of a crime, and the record remains in the PNP database.
Unresolved Warrants: There is an active warrant of arrest issued against you or someone with your name.
Dismissed Cases Not Updated: You were involved in a case that was dismissed, acquitted, or archived, but the court failed to transmit the final order to the PNP, or the PNP failed to update their system.

The Legal Framework

Under Philippine law, an individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt (Article III, Section 14(2) of the 1987 Constitution). Furthermore, the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (R.A. 10173) grants individuals the right to dispute and correct inaccurate or outdated information in government databases.

How to Correct a Wrongful Criminal Record

If your police clearance shows a record that is inaccurate, outdated, or refers to another person, you must undergo a process called Clearing the Hit.

1. The Verification Process

When a "Hit" occurs, the PNP will require you to undergo further verification. This usually involves:

Additional Identification: Presenting multiple government-issued IDs.
Fingerprint Comparison: Comparing your biometric data with the data of the person on file.

2. Securing a "Certificate of No Pending Case" or "Court Clearance"

If the "Hit" is due to an old or dismissed case, you must go to the specific court where the case was filed.

Request a Certified True Copy of the Order of Dismissal, Judgment of Acquittal, or the Certificate of Finality.
This document proves that the legal matter has been resolved and should no longer be reflected as an active criminal record.

3. Requesting an Update/Correction from the PNP

Once you have the court documents, you must bring them to the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) or the specific police station/clearance hub where you applied.

Submit a formal request to "purge" or update the record.
The PNP will then update their database, allowing you to receive a "No Criminal Record" remark on your next clearance.

4. The NBI "Green" Slip vs. Police Clearance

Note that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the PNP maintain separate databases. Resolving a hit with the NBI does not automatically resolve a hit with the PNP. You must handle each agency separately if your name is flagged in both.

Key Legal Remedies for Erroneous Records

If the PNP refuses to update a clearly erroneous or outdated record despite the submission of court orders, you may resort to:

Petition for Mandamus: A legal action to compel a government agency to perform a ministerial duty (i.e., updating its records based on a final court order).
Data Privacy Complaint: Filing a complaint with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) for the agency's failure to correct inaccurate personal data.

Summary Table: Common Scenarios and Solutions

Scenario	Cause	Action Required
Common Name	Mistaken Identity	Undergo PNP biometric verification/interview.
Case Dismissed	System not updated	Submit Certified True Copy of Dismissal Order to PNP.
Acquitted	System not updated	Submit Certified True Copy of Judgment of Acquittal.
Ongoing Case	Active litigation	Secure a court clearance stating the status of the case.

Important Note: A "Hit" due to an active Warrant of Arrest will likely result in immediate detention. If you suspect there is a warrant for your arrest, it is advisable to consult with legal counsel before applying for a clearance.

Would you like me to draft a formal letter of request to the PNP for the correction of your records?