WHEREAS, certain lawless groups in our society are in open defiance against the duly constituted Government of the Republic of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the ICHDF has been called upon to assist in the suppression of such lawless elements and in the restoration of peace and order throughout the country to provide the necessary climate for the integrated economic development of the nation and promote the well-being of the people; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to recognize the valuable services of the ICHDF members and other civilian officials who have distinguished themselves in the peace and order campaign;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, Proclamation No. 1104, dated January 17, 1973, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, do hereby decree and promulgate as part of the law of the land, the following:

SECTION 1. There is hereby created an individual decoration to be known as the "Kagitingan sa Barangay" and the "Barangay Presidential Unit Citation Badge," to be awarded to individual members and/or units of the ICHDF and other civilian officials who have rendered conspicuous service in the restoration of peace and order in the country.

SEC. 2. The Kagitingan sa Barangay shall be divided into three categories:

a. Lakan — to be awarded by the President of the Philippines to any ICHDF member or other civilian official who has participated in action involving actual conflict with an enemy, distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. He must perform in action a deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice, so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish him from other members, or the performance of which is more than ordinarily hazardous service.
b. Datu — To be awarded by the Secretary of National Defense to any ICHDF member or other civilian official for acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry in the face of an armed enemy. He must perform an act or acts of heroism so notable and involving risk of life so extraordinary, as to set him apart from other members.
c. Maginoo — To be awarded by the Chief of Staff, AFP to any ICHDF member or other civilian official for gallantry in action not warranting the award of the Lakan, Datu or Kagitingan sa Barangay, It may be awarded to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service accomplished with distinction by any civilian officials either in duly, responsibility or in direct support to military operations.

SEC. 3. The "Barangay Presidential Unit Citation Badge" shall be awarded to any ICHDF unit which has rendered exceptionally outstanding service in the peace and order campaign upon recommendation of the Chief of Staff, AFP through the Secretary of National Defense. To qualify for the Badge, the unit must have distinguished itself in combat and achieved extraordinary accomplishments which set it apart from other units.

SEC. 4. The Kagitingan sa Barangay may be awarded posthumously to any person entitled thereto, in which case the same shall be received by any of his legal heirs, and if there are no legal heirs, by his nearest of kin or any other person designated by competent authorities.

SEC. 5. The Secretary of National Defense shall prescribe such rules and regulations concerning the designs and specifications of the Kagitingan sa Barangay and "Barangay Presidential Unit Citation Badge," the manner of wearing them and such other details pertinent thereto.

SEC. 6. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 17th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-three.