DIRECTING THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE TO PREVENT AND SUPPRESS ACTS OF TERRORISM AND LAWLESS VIOLENCE IN MINDANAO
WHEREAS, lawless elements have repeatedly threatened to launch bomb attacks and have recently exploded bombs in General Santos City and Cotabato City resulting in the loss of innocent lives and destruction of property;
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 and effective
Government response to avert further loss of innocent lives and
destruction of property;
WHEREAS, whenever it becomes necessary, the President as the Commander-in-Chief of all the armed forces of the Philippines, may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO,
by virtue of the powers vested upon me under Article VII, Section 18 of
the Constitution as President of the Republic of the Philippines and
Commander-in-Chief of all the armed forces of the Philippines, do hereby
call upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine
National Police, to prevent and suppress acts of terrorism and lawless
violence in Mindanao.
I
hereby direct the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
and the Chief of the Philippine National Police and the officers and
men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National
Police, to immediately carry out the necessary and appropriate actions
and measures to implement this General Order, with due regard to the
constitutional rights of every individual.
Adopted: 09 May 2002
By the President:
(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary