QuestionsQuestions (MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 83)
Section 24, Article XVIII of the 1987 Constitution mandates the dismantling of private armies and other armed groups not recognized by duly constituted authorities.
A Private Armed Group (PAG) is defined as an organized group of two (2) or more persons, with legally or illegally possessed firearms, utilized for purposes of sowing fear and intimidation, and violence for the advancement and protection of vested political and economic interest.
The NTF-DPAGs is created to focus on disbanding private armed groups in the proposed Bangsamoro core territory and adjacent regions in order to stabilize the security situation and effectively implement measures in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), particularly the gradual and phased decommissioning of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government serves as the Chairperson of the NTF-DPAGs.
Members include representatives from the Department of National Defense, Department of Justice, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Philippine National Police (PNP) Directors and Regional Directors from ARMM and Regions IX to XII, Deputy Chiefs of Staff for Intelligence and Operations of AFP, Chief of Peace Process Office AFP, Commander of Western Mindanao Command AFP, Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, Chair of the GPH Negotiating Panel for Talks with MILF, Head of Focal Team for the Peace Process PNP, and representative of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
The NTF-DPAGs is in charge of policy, planning, and implementation of the program for disbandment of PAGs, including coordination with relevant bodies pursuant to the CAB and other necessary entities. It will also draft implementing rules and operational guidelines subject to approval by the Executive Secretary.
A Monitoring and Reporting System will be developed in collaboration with the OPAPP to determine the development and level of achievements of activities designed for dismantling of PAGs.
It ceases operations upon the signing of the Exit Agreement by the GPH and MILF negotiating panels, or when it determines that the PAGs are already dismantled, whichever comes earlier.
Upon dissolution, the assets shall be transferred in favor of the member agencies as determined by the NTF-DPAGs.
All branches of government, departments, bureaus, agencies, offices, local government units, and government-owned or -controlled corporations are encouraged to render full support, assistance, and cooperation to the NTF-DPAGs in carrying out its mandate and functions.
The separability clause states that if any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions unaffected shall remain valid and subsisting.
This Circular took effect immediately upon publication, dated September 2, 2015.