PROVIDING MEASURES TO QUELL THE RECENT ACTS OF TERRORISM AND LAWLESS VIOLENCE IN MINDANAO

WHEREAS, such lawless elements continue to threaten and perpetrate acts of terrorism and lawless violence in Mindanao in open defiance of the duly constituted authorities;

WHEREAS,
the existing situation necessitates an immediate, effective and
adequate Government response to avert further loss of innocent lives and
destruction of property;

WHEREAS,
pursuant to Article VII, Section 18 of the Constitution, General Order
No. 2 dated May 9, 2002 has been issued calling upon the Armed Forces of
the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to prevent and suppress acts of terrorism and lawless violence in Mindanao.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as President and Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines, do hereby order:

SECTION 1.   In
accordance with General Order No. 2 dated May 9, 2002, the Department
of National Defense (DND) and the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) shall coordinate the immediate deployment of
additional forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the
Philippine National Police (PNP) to prevent and suppress acts of
terrorism and lawless violence in Mindanao.

SECTION 2.   The DND and the DILG shall organize all AFP and PNP personnel in Mindanao into Joint Task Forces.

The
DND Secretary shall have responsibility and exercise authority over the
Joint Task Force deployed in the Western Mindanao Area of
Responsibility which shall consist of the following regions:

a.         Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao;

b.         Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula); and

c.         Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN).

The
DILG Secretary shall have responsibility and exercise authority over
the Joint Task Force deployed in the Eastern Mindanao Area of
Responsibility which shall consist of the following regions:

a.         Region X (Northern Mindanao);

b.         Region XI (Davao Region); and

c.         Region XIII (CARAGA Region).

The
DND Secretary and the DILG Secretary shall ensure that there is close
coordination, mutual support and cooperation at all times among the
officers and men of the AFP and the PNP.

The
DND Secretary and the DILG Secretary shall periodically report
developments to the Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security.

SECTION 3.   The
PNP and the Intelligence Service of the AFP shall jointly intensify and
focus intelligence operations against individuals or groups responsible
for committing or conspiring in the commission of acts of terrorism and
lawless violence.

The
DILG, together with the PNP, shall immediately establish an Informer
Rewards Program for the apprehension of those responsible for acts of
terrorism and lawless violence.

The
PNP, when warranted, shall arrest all persons responsible for
committing or conspiring in the commission of acts of terrorism and
lawless violence, with due regard to their constitutional rights.

SECTION 4.   The
Department of Justice (DOJ) shall closely coordinate with the PNP in
the immediate prosecution of all individuals or groups responsible for
committing or conspiring in the commission of acts of terrorism and
lawless violence.  The DOJ shall not recommend
bail for individuals who have committed or conspired in the commission
of acts of terrorism and lawless violence which have resulted in the
loss of innocent lives and destruction of property.

SECTION 5.   The DILG and the DND shall enhance coordination with local authorities and intensify community and barangay defense and anti-terrorist action plans, including the imposition of necessary security measures in Mindanao.

All local government units in Mindanao are enjoined to lend their fullest support and cooperation to ensure the effective implementation of this Memorandum Order.

SECTION 6.   The
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall extend
emergency relief assistance to the victims of the bombings in General Santos City and Cotabato City and of other acts of terrorism and lawless violence.  When
necessary, the funding for the relief assistance to be provided by the
DSWD shall be augmented from the President’s Social Fund.

SECTION 7.   The
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Presidential Adviser
for Special Concerns shall strengthen existing back channels to enlist
the full support of all stakeholders to prevent and suppress acts of
terrorism and lawless violence in Mindanao.

SECTION 8.   At
all times, the constitutional rights of every individual shall be
observed and given due consideration in the implementation of this
Memorandum Order.  For this purpose, the Presidential Human Rights Committee shall continuously assess and monitor the human rights situation in Mindanao and ensure that the constitutional and statutory rights of every individual are respected.

SECTION 9.   This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately upon approval.

Adopted: 09 May 2002

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary