QuestionsQuestions (GENERAL ORDER NO. 6)
General Order No. 6 directs the AFP to coordinate with the PNP and other law enforcement agencies to implement Proclamation No. 1017 dated February 24, 2006 declaring a State of National Emergency.
Proclamation No. 1017 was issued to maintain law and order, prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence, prevent or suppress acts of insurrection or rebellion, enforce obedience to laws, and to enforce all decrees, orders, and regulations.
General Order No. 6 complements General Order No. 5 by emphasizing the need for AFP coordination with the PNP and other law enforcement agencies to effectively prevent and suppress lawless violence and terrorism.
It cites Section 3, Article II of the Constitution: civilian authority is at all times supreme over the military.
The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is directed to coordinate with the Chief of the PNP and heads of other law enforcement agencies.
Under the President’s instruction and directives, as stated in General Order No. 6.
It cites the scope of the operation, the amount of resources and manpower required, and the need for accurate disclosure and exchange of information and reports regarding militant and extremist activities.
No. The text directs coordination with the PNP and other agencies and frames actions as being under the President’s instructions, consistent with civilian supremacy over the military.
General Order No. 6 lists the Office of the President; the Secretary of National Defense; the Department of National Defense; the Secretary of Interior and Local Government; the Department of Interior and Local Government; the Secretary of Justice; the Department of Justice; the Secretary of Foreign Affairs; the Department of Foreign Affairs; the Secretary of Transportation and Communications; the Department of Transportation and Communications; and such other officials and agencies.
It focuses on coordination and the undertaking of necessary actions to prevent and suppress lawless violence, not on transferring core police functions; it expressly emphasizes coordination with PNP and other law enforcement agencies.
Lawless violence, terrorism, and related acts of insurrection or rebellion, as referenced through Proclamation No. 1017 and General Order No. 5.
The need for accurate disclosure and exchange of information and reports regarding militant and extremist activities.
It signals that military participation must be under civilian control and direction (i.e., the AFP’s role is coordinated and directed by civilian authorities, particularly the President and relevant departments), consistent with constitutional hierarchy.
The President, as Commander-in-Chief, issues the directive and specifies that the AFP actions are to be undertaken under her instruction and directives.
The Executive Secretary (Eduardo R. Ermita) signs as the officer attesting/recording the issuance. The signature block indicates formal adoption and implementation through the executive machinery.