WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 1017 dated 24 February 2006 was issued declaring a State of National Emergency in order to maintain law and order, prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence as well as any act of insurrection or rebellion and to enforce obedience to all the laws and to all decrees, orders and regulations;

WHEREAS, to implement Proclamation No. 1017 (s. 2006), General Order No. 5 dated 24 February 2006 was issued calling upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to prevent and suppress acts of terrorism and lawless violence in the country and to immediately carry out necessary and appropriate actions and measures to prevent and suppress the same;

WHEREAS, to suppress acts of terrorism and lawless violence as well as to ensure the safety of our people during the existence of a State of National Emergency, it is necessary to temporarily suspend permits to carry firearms and possess explosives, temporarily suspend the issuance of such permits, and temporarily suspend the issuance of new firearm licenses until the declaration of a State of National Emergency is lifted;

WHEREAS, under Section 24 (f) of Republic Act No. 6975, the PNP supervises the issuance of licenses for the possession of firearms and explosives in accordance with law;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 69, Title VIII, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987 in relation to Section 14 of Republic Act No. 6975, the President exercises control and supervision over the PNP through the National Police Commission;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, by virtue of the powers vested in me under the Constitution and the laws, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1017 (s. 2006), hereby order:

Section 1. The Philippine National Police (PNP) shall temporarily suspend permits to carry firearms and possess explosives, temporarily suspend the issuance of such permits, and temporarily suspend the issuance of new firearm licenses until the declaration of a State of National Emergency is lifted.

Section 2. Members of the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Coast Guard are exempted from the coverage of this Administrative Order.

Section 3. The Chief of the PNP is hereby directed to immediately issue the necessary rules and guidelines to effectively implement this Administrative Order.

Section 4. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

City of Manila, February 24, 2006.


By the President:
(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary