Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 504)
The primary objective of Executive Order No. 504 is to prohibit the exportation or re-exportation of war materials, arms, ammunition, and other strategic materials and critical items from the Philippines, except in certain cases determined to not prejudice the country's economic and military requirements, to protect national security and public welfare.
The Secretary of National Defense and the Administrator of Economic Coordination have the authority to determine in each meritorious case whether the exportation or re-exportation of prohibited items can be allowed.
The Executive Order classifies such items into eleven categories: I) Small arms and machine guns; II) Artillery and projectors; III) Ammunition; IV) Bombs, torpedoes and rockets; V) Fire control equipment and range finders; VI) Tanks and ordnance vehicles; VII) Poison gases and toxicological agents; VIII) Propellants and explosives; IX) Vessels of war; X) Aircraft; XI) Miscellaneous military equipment including radar and electronic devices.
Yes, small arms such as rifles, carbines, revolvers, pistols, machine pistols, and machine guns using ammunition caliber .22 or over are subject to the export prohibition.
Yes, besides war materials, the Executive Order prohibits the exportation of certain non-military products and materials including building materials, medical supplies and equipment, agricultural implements, tractors, work animals, fertilizers, food items like rice, milk, cheese, eggs, poultry, grains, vegetables (except coconuts), coffee, cacao, and various industrial and communication equipment.
The order was issued because the Philippines was still in a state of war with some enemy countries of World War II, faced a troubled international situation with stockpiling of strategic materials globally, and was engaged in armed conflict with government subverters and their external sympathizers.
The Executive Order was signed by then President Elpidio Quirino and the Acting Executive Secretary Marciano Roque.
Yes, products exported by the United States to the Philippines under allocation are also included in the export prohibition under this Executive Order.
Tanks, armed or armored vehicles, armored trains, artillery and small arms repair trucks, military half tracks, tank recovery vehicles, tank destroyers, and their components like armor plates, turrets, engines, tread shoes, and bogie wheels are covered.
The Executive Order itself does not explicitly state the penalties or consequences for violations within the text provided. Enforcement and penalties would typically be governed by the applicable laws on export control and national security prevailing at the time.