Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 97)
Executive Order No. 97 was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of National Defense, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government are the primary departments responsible for implementing the Policy Framework and Guidelines.
The Philippines participated in the Korean War (1950-53), United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) in 1992-1993, Iraq (UNGCI) from 1991 up to the present, Cambodia (UNTAC) in 1992-1993, Haiti (UNMIH) in 1994, Kosovo from 1999 up to the present, and East Timor (INTERFET and UNTAET) from 1999 up to the present.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, with the concurrence of the Department of National Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, is authorized to update the Policy Framework and Guidelines.
The issuance is based on the powers vested in the President of the Philippines by law to approve and adopt policies for Philippine participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
No. EO No. 97 covers Philippine participation in United Nations peacekeeping, peace-enforcement, and peace-building operations.
Executive Order No. 97 took effect immediately upon issuance on April 23, 2002.
It is imperative to provide the relevant government agencies with an adequate policy framework and guidelines to execute decisions on sending Philippine military, police, or civilian personnel to various UN peace operations effectively and in accordance with international commitments.
The Policy Framework and Guidelines govern all decisions regarding Philippine participation in United Nations peacekeeping, peace-enforcement, and peace-building operations.