Constitutional and statutory basis
- The Decree anchors its concept on citizens’ right to self-defense and the constitutional duty under Section 1, Article V of the Constitution.
- Section 1 authorizes organization in threatened areas for community defense and assistance to peace-and-order efforts in coordination with law enforcement and military forces.
- Section 2(b) includes guards and watchmen of security agencies licensed under the Private Security Agency Law, as amended.
Policy and declared purpose
- The Decree aims to expedite the effective solution of peace and order problems nationwide to accelerate national socio-economic development.
- The Decree provides for greater participation by Provincial Governors, City/Municipal Mayors, other civil officials, and concerned citizens in maintaining peace and order within their jurisdictions.
- The Decree organizes citizen volunteers and local resources into self-defense units capable of:
- Providing security to the community,
- Helping protect lives and properties against lawless elements, and
- Assisting in the maintenance of peace and order with coordination.
Who may be organized and where
- An Integrated Civilian Home Defense Force may be organized in provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays that are threatened by insurgency, rebellion, subversion, criminality, and/or disorder under Section 1.
- Organization is subject to approval of the Secretary of National Defense under Section 1.
- The force is organized for defending the community against violence and lawlessness and assisting law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and order within threatened localities under Section 1.
Composition of Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces
- The Decree authorizes Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces to be composed of the following under Section 2:
- (a) Civilian Home Defense Forces consisting of able-bodied civilian volunteers.
- (b) Guards and watchmen of private and government security agencies licensed under the Private Security Agency Law, as amended.
- (c) Special Home Defense or Regional Security Forces or other local or special security forces administered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Mindanao.
- (d) Provincial guards.
- (e) Civilian licensed firearm holders.
- (f) Auxiliaries.
Organization, training, equipment, and control
- Section 3 directs the Secretary of National Defense to ensure the armed components of Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces are properly controlled, organized, trained, and equipped to accomplish their mission.
- Section 3 assigns the implementation function specifically to the Secretary of National Defense for armed components.
- The Decree ties mission accomplishment to proper control, organization, training, and equipment under Section 3.
Screening, appointment, supervision, and deployment
- Section 4 provides that members of Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces are screened by the Provincial Commander.
- Section 4 requires screening to be done in consultation with Provincial Governors, City/Municipal Mayors, and Barangay Captains concerned.
- Section 4 requires that screened members be recommended to the Chief of Constabulary for appointment.
- Section 5 requires coordination with commanders of military and Integrated National Police units in the area.
- Section 5 empowers Provincial Governors and City/Municipal Mayors to exercise general supervision over employment, deployment, or utilization of Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces.
- Section 5 limits supervision in deployment for suppressing or preventing disorder, riot, lawless violence, and other criminal activities within their respective provinces, cities, or municipalities.
Benefits and allowances
- Section 6 provides that duly appointed members are entitled to benefits or allowances as authorized by the Secretary of National Defense.
- The right to benefits or allowances attaches upon being duly appointed under Section 6.
Rules and implementing authority
- Section 7 requires the Secretary of National Defense to promulgate rules and regulations for effective implementation of the Decree.
- The Decree makes the Secretary of National Defense the rulemaking authority for implementing measures under Section 7.