[ Commonwealth Act No. 321, June 09, 1938 ]

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES TO DECLARE ANY AREA OR ZONE IN THE PHILIPPINES AS A NATIONAL DEFENSE ZONE, TO PROHIBIT ENTRY THEREIN EXCEPT TO CERTAIN CLASSES OF PERSONS, AND TO PRESCRIBE PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF.

Be it enacted by the National Assembly of the Philippines:

SECTION 1. The President of the Philippines is hereby authorized to declare, by proclamation, any area or zone in the Philippines as a national defense zone, and upon the promulgation of such proclamation, it shall be unlawful for any person, excepting public officials and employees of the United States and of the Philippines, to enter such zone, or to remain therein, except under regulations to be prescribed by the President of the Philippines: Provided, however, That in no case shall any person be deprived of his property without just compensation.

SEC. 2. Any violation of the provisions of this Act or of the regulations prescribed by the President of the Philippines pursuant to the authority contained in section one hereof, shall be punished by imprisonment of not exceeding six months or by a fine of not exceeding one thousand pesos, or by both, in the discretion of the court.

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 9, 1938.