Executive Order No. 23




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 23, April 25, 1966 ] PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE AND WELL COORDINATED SYSTEM FOR THE SECURITY OF THE PREMISES AND INSTALLATIONS OF FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS, CONSULAR ESTABLISHMENTS AND OFFICES OF INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND OF THE PERSONS AND RESIDENCES OF DULY ACCREDITED DIPLOMATIC, CONSULAR AND INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS THEREOF By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, do hereby order that the Secretary of National Defense shall be responsible for insuring that an effective and well-coordinated system of security is provided to the persons of duly accredited or recognized diplomatic, consular and international officials in the Philippines and to the chanceries, offices and installations of foreign governments and international agencies, as well as residences owned or leased by such officials in the Philippines, when such security is requested by the foreign or international mission, establishment or agency concerned. The primary objective in furnishing such security, should the same be requested, is to safeguard the lives, offices and property of resident foreign and international officials and their families in a manner which will enhance the position and prestige of the Republic before the outside world and our people by providing the necessary protective measures with utmost efficiency and decorum. In accordance with customary practice, request for such security protection shall first be made by the head of the foreign diplomatic mission, consular establishment or international agency concerned to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs who, in turn, shall notify the appropriate City or Municipal Mayor and the Secretary of National Defense without delay regarding such requests. It shall be the duty of the City or Municipal Mayor concerned to provide the necessary protective measures desired. In case the security protection sought is beyond the capabilities of the local police force to provide, the City or Municipal Mayor concerned shall request the Department of National Defense, directly or through the nearest Philippine Constabulary Command, for additional support and assistance as may be needed. The Secretary of National Defense shall monitor and evaluate all such requests for security, including action taken thereon by local police agencies, and shall be ready to augment local police forces in providing the necessary degree of protection. It is understood that all security measures to be provided and undertaken pursuant hereto shall be under the direction and super vision of the Department of National Defense. For this purpose, the Secretary of National Defense is authorized to coordinate, call for or require, when necessary, and in accordance with regulations and procedures which he shall hereafter prescribe, the assistance and support of various agencies of the Government, including local police forces, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation. All agencies so called upon by the Secretary of National Defense are hereby directed to render the necessary assistance within their capabilities. All agencies requested or required by the Secretary of National Defense under the provisions of this Order to participate in such security arrangements shall be governed by the following concepts and guidelines: (1) There should be maximum coordination and cooperation in both planning and execution phases.ℒαwρhi৷ (2) Agencies concerned shall provide the necessary logistics and other support for their respective contributed elements. However, additional fund support may be provided by the Office of the President as the need arises, upon the recommendation of and through the Secretary of National Defense. (3) In cases of emergency requiring prompt action or attention wherein the local police force or other government agency is directly requested to furnish the type of security protection described herein, such police force or agency shall take action without delay to provide the same within its capabilities and shall immediately notify the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of such action taken. (4) Any person involved in the performance of the tasks herein contemplated who shall violate the generally accepted international rules and norms of courtesy, decorum and conduct and the provisions of this Order shall be subject to disciplinary action as provide by law. (5) Any official or employee who shall solicit or receive any compensation, emolument, benefit or favor in kind or otherwise from those provided security protection or their representatives shall be subject to disciplinary action as provided by law. Any gifts, commendations or the like voluntarily offered as tokens of gratitude by those so protected shall be referred to and disposed of properly by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Done in the City of Manila, this 25th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and sixty-six. (SGD.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President of the Philippines By the President: (SGD.) RAFAEL M. SALAS Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation