Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 216)
The DILG-PNP shall assume primary responsibility on matters affecting internal security, including the suppression of insurgency effective January 1, 1995.
The 'primary role' refers to providing principal planning, direction, control, and resources for internal security operations, including insurgency suppression. The 'support role' means assisting the lead agency with adequate personnel and material resources for these operations.
The DILG-PNP is assigned the primary role, while the DND-AFP assumes the support role, except in specified areas where the roles are reversed.
The DND-AFP holds the primary role in all provinces in Mindanao, the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, all provinces in Panay, Samar, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Southern Quezon and all provinces of the Bicol Region.
The President may, upon recommendation of the National Peace and Order Council, call the AFP to assume the primary role or approve the turnover to the PNP, depending on the internal security condition in each particular area.
It is established to monitor internal security operations, determine security condition levels, prepare integrated plans, facilitate coordination among agencies, and prepare reports to the President on the internal security program and concerns.
No, general law enforcement functions nationwide remain the primary concern of the DILG-PNP despite changes in roles for internal security operations in specific areas.
They must jointly prepare implementing guidelines to enhance the internal security management system defining the strategic concept, levels of internal security conditions, government responses, and agency responsibilities for primary and support roles.
The legal authority is the power vested in the President by the Constitution and laws of the Philippines, specifically implementing Section 12 of Republic Act 6975.
The Executive Order took effect immediately upon signing on December 16, 1994.