MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 197, September 25, 2007 ]
WHEREAS, there is a need to address security concerns.
NOW THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
1. The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) shall work closely with Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC) subcommittee on killings and disappearances for speedy action on cases and effective reforms to avoid abuses with regular reports to the Commander-in-Chief through the Executive Secretary as PHRC chair, and in consultation with the Court administrator, invited as PHRC subcommittee observer.
2. The DND/AFP shall draft legislation in consultation with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office and Congress allies for safeguards against disclosure of military secrets and undue interference in military operations inimical to national security.
3. The DNP/AFP shall accelerate the recruitment, training, equipping and deployment of CAFGUs in place of transferred troups as well as investigate and, if necessary, stop and punish schemes to fraudulently collect salaries through ‘ghost’ CAFGUs.
4. The DN/AFP, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Department of Interior and Local Government shall work with Local Government Units to fast-track local peace initiatives, especially local ceasefires, particularly in Bohol, Butuan and other priority areas for peace assemblies; and to work with the Union of Local Authorities, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and other sectoral and civil society groups in advocating with Congress to concur soonest with the amnesty proclamation.
5. The DND/AFP shall report the implementation of the recommendations of the Davide and Feliciano Commission, and what further measures will still be done.
DONE this 25th day September 2007 in the City of Manila.
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL- ARROYO
By the President
(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary
The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation
