Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 739)
The Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) chairs the National Peace and Order Council (NPOC).
The NPOC is composed of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (Chair), Director-General of the National Security Council, Executive Secretary, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of National Defense, Secretary of Justice, Press Secretary, Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Director-General of the Presidential Management Staff, Director-General of the Philippine Information Agency, Chairperson of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Chief of the Philippine National Police, Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, and three private sector representatives appointed by the President.
The sub-national councils provide a forum for dialogue on peace and order issues, recommend measures to improve peace and order, oversee convergence of internal security operations, recommend sanctions against local officials supporting rebels, monitor livelihood and infrastructure programs to isolate rural areas from insurgents, and perform other functions assigned by law or authorities.
The Regional ISO Convergence Office focuses on the convergence and orchestration of internal security operations efforts involving civil authorities, agencies, military, and police in each region. It is headed by the Infantry Division Commander as Executive Officer, assisted by the Presidential Assistant for the Region.
The Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG), with the approval of the President of the Philippines, appoints the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the RPOC from among the council members.
The Kalayaan Barangay list identifies remote rural and indigenous population areas targeted for livelihood and infrastructure development programs to isolate them from Communist rebels' activities and ideological influence. The list may be amended with the approval of the Unified Area Commander to meet relevant needs.
Local chief executives who give material and political support to Communist rebels may be subjected to moral suasion and/or recommended sanctions by the sub-national Peace and Order Councils as part of their function to uphold peace and order.
CVOs are managed and supervised by the respective Regional, Provincial, City, or Municipal Director of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The Secretariat handles the administrative and technical activities of the Peace and Order Council, including liaison and coordination with government agencies. At the regional level, the SILG acts as Secretary-General, and the Secretariat is headed by the Regional Director of DILG. At provincial, city, and municipal levels, the most senior DILG officer leads the Secretariat, assisted by the Chairman's regular staff.