QuestionsQuestions (GENERAL ORDER NO. 7-A)
It is issued pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081 (Sept. 21, 1972) declaring martial law, and in connection with General Orders No. 6 (Sept. 22, 1972) and No. 7 (Sept. 23, 1972), which restricted firearm possession/carrying. The rationale is that some officials of the Department of Justice (such as NBI agents involved in law enforcement and criminal justice) were not exempted by the earlier orders, and thus needed to carry firearms to perform their official functions effectively.
They prohibited inhabitants from keeping any firearm without a license duly and legally issued, and prohibited carrying such firearm outside the residence of the duly licensed holder.
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are allowed to carry firearms outside residence while in the actual performance of official mission or duty.
They must be in the actual performance of their official mission or duty.
They are authorized to carry their duly licensed firearms only (1) within the premises of the prison or jail where they are actually on guard duty, and (2) while escorting prisoners to offices of provincial/city fiscals or to military tribunals or civil courts in compliance with subpoena, and then they must return.
Firearms may be carried only within the prison/jail premises during actual guard duty, and during prisoner escort to specified offices/courts pursuant to subpoena; after escort, they must return.
No. The authority is limited to escorting prisoners to provincial/city fiscals, military tribunals, or civil courts in compliance with subpoenas, and otherwise restricted to within the prison/jail premises during actual guard duty.
It requires that the firearms carried by the covered officials must have been issued/licensed properly. The exemptions in the Order relate to where they may carry and when, not to the requirement of having a lawful license.
To restore tranquility and stability and secure the people from violence, injuries, and loss of lives quickly, and specifically to allow certain officials to perform effectively their functions and duties under the enforcement of law and order and the administration of criminal justice.
Proclamation No. 1081 is the martial law basis. General Order No. 6 and General Order No. 7 are referenced because they imposed firearm restrictions (no possession without license; no carrying outside residence). General Order No. 7-A clarifies/creates exemptions for specific officials so they can function effectively.
The Chief of the Constabulary.
NBI agents may carry firearms outside residence while on official mission/duty. Jail/penitentiary guards may only carry within the prison/jail premises during guard duty and during specific prisoner escorts to designated offices/courts under subpoena, with a requirement to return.
It is dated September 30, 1972, done in the City of Manila, and signed by Ferdinand E. Marcos, identified as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines and President of the Republic of the Philippines.
Based on its stated purpose and limited wording, it functions as a specific exemption/clarification to the prior restrictions in General Orders No. 6 and No. 7, allowing firearm carrying only for particular officials and only under specified conditions.